The new Chief Executive of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is putting clinical leadership to the forefront of how the organisation will make decisions about the way care is delivered and resources are allocated across the Trust.
Lyn Simpson, who started in post in January this year has already established a clinical advisory group which brings together key clinical leaders and executives to provide clinical advice in response to the results. The group will advise the organisation on key issues relating to clinical practice, professional standards and medical education and will have a key role in making financial and strategic decisions for the organisation.
The change echoes the findings of the National NHS Survey which took place in the Autumn of 2019 before North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust was formed meaning there are two separate sets of results for the former Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. During the period of the survey the organisations experienced a high level of change including the merger and subsequent re-organisation and the transfer of mental health and learning disability service to specialist providers.
Lyn Simpson, Chief Executive said: “Empowering our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to make more of the decisions about how we manage our resources and deliver care across our hospitals and services is hugely important.
““Following the creation of North Cumbria Integrated Care in October 2019, we need to make sure our clinicians are at the heart of the decisions we take as an organisation.
Professor John Howarth Deputy Chief Executive said: “Lyn is now inviting our clinical leaders to take the opportunity to work hand in hand with the leadership team to ensure that quality and safety drives the organisation in the future.”
Dave Waddington, Chair of staff representatives said: “Trade Union organisations will continue working closely with the Trust to make the necessary improvements, we are committed to make our Trust a Centre of Excellence and we will work in collaboration with the leadership to achieve our ambition. We have just completed a series of 14 roadshows Led by our Chief Executive Lyn Simpson that were delivered in partnership with myself where our staff were encouraged to voice their concerns and to make valuable contributions and suggestions going forward.”
Lyn Simpson added: “In the five weeks since I’ve joined the organisation I’ve spoken with many colleagues and I know that every one of us comes to work to do our very best for our patients. I’m confident that by working together closely with all of our staff, our clinical leaders and our staff representatives together, we can make rapid improvements.”
