New Joint Chair and Chief Executive arrangements

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHC) and Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (WUTH) are pleased to announce the appointments of Sir David Henshaw as Joint Chair and Janelle Holmes as Joint Chief Executive.

The appointments follow the conclusion and recommendations of a recent review into the opportunities for collaboration and integration across acute and community services in Wirral. The Joint Chair and Joint Chief Executive will lead WCHC and WUTH working on behalf of the two Foundation Trust Boards.

Following formal approval of his appointment by the Council of Governors of both Trusts, Sir David said: “Both Janelle and I are incredibly proud to have been appointed to these joint roles. We are committed to working to fully maximise the range of benefits of integration and collaboration using a single leadership model.

“In particular, it is the positive impact on patient experience and care which matters most. Working together, we want to provide seamless and targeted care, reduce handoffs and waiting times, minimise duplication, and ensure patients are treated in the right setting and location.”

Janelle Holmes added: “There are many examples where positive partnership working and effective collaboration is already in place and directly contributing to improved patient experience and care. An example of this is the Virtual Frailty Ward where colleagues in both organisations are already working together with great success.

“We want to amplify the best of what takes place both in the community and in the acute trust whilst remaining absolutely focused on those opportunities for greater collaboration and integration between both organisations and our partners.”

Sir David and Janelle will be leading both Trusts with immediate effect.

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