New Hywel Dda University Health Board Chair starts in post
Tomorrow, July 1, Bernardine Rees will take up the role of Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board.
Born in Fishguard, Bernardine trained as a nurse in Carmarthen and has lived in Ceredigion for the last 19 years.
She retired from the NHS after 42 years working in Wales, some of her local roles in the west included Director of Nursing in Ceredigion, Chief Executive in Pembrokeshire Local Health Board and Director of Primary Community and Mental Health Services in the newly formed Hywel Dda, as well as way many other posts in different parts of Wales.
Bernardine said “The values that brought me, and I’m sure most of our NHS staff, in to the NHS are still the ones I believe to be the drivers for the future. We all want to give the best outcomes to our patients in the safest possible way, with compassion that ensures that our population, wherever they access our services in primary, community or acute, get a good experience.
“I am full of admiration for all of our staff working in today's NHS and I look forward to meeting and getting to know many of them over the next few weeks and months.
“I am aware of some of the great practice and new facilities that have been developed recently, as well as some of the challenges that we face in the sometimes contentious redesign to local services. We must also embrace prudent healthcare to help the NHS deal with austerity and tackle health inequalities. I am keen to work with our Independent Members, Executive Team and staff across the organisation to take Hywel Dda University Health Board into the next phase of its development as an integrated organisation.
“We have to be open and transparent in the difficult months ahead, but of one thing I am convinced, we have to be mature in our discussions within the organisation and with our public and external partners.”
Bernardine said “The values that brought me, and I’m sure most of our NHS staff, in to the NHS are still the ones I believe to be the drivers for the future. We all want to give the best outcomes to our patients in the safest possible way, with compassion that ensures that our population, wherever they access our services in primary, community or acute, get a good experience.
“I am full of admiration for all of our staff working in today's NHS and I look forward to meeting and getting to know many of them over the next few weeks and months.
“I am aware of some of the great practice and new facilities that have been developed recently, as well as some of the challenges that we face in the sometimes contentious redesign to local services. We must also embrace prudent healthcare to help the NHS deal with austerity and tackle health inequalities. I am keen to work with our Independent Members, Executive Team and staff across the organisation to take Hywel Dda University Health Board into the next phase of its development as an integrated organisation.
“We have to be open and transparent in the difficult months ahead, but of one thing I am convinced, we have to be mature in our discussions within the organisation and with our public and external partners.”
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