A new chair for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been appointed pledging to support more collaboration across health and social care.
Emma Woollett comes to Cumbria after serving as chair of Swansea University Health Board, chair of West Glamorgan Regional Partnership Board and member of the board of trustees at the NHS Confederation.
“I am delighted to have been appointed as chair of Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, and having heard about some of the great work taking place across the ICB to improve health and care for the population,” Emma said.
“I believe the ICB has a clear vision and strong ambitions to improve quality, transform care in the community and address the challenges our NHS services face across acute, mental health and primary care. I am excited to be able to draw on my previous experience to help further the progress that has already been made.
“I look forward to supporting even more collaboration across health and care to achieve the central ambition of improving the health and wellbeing of people in Lancashire and South Cumbria, working with partners across health, care, local authorities and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector.”
A graduate of the University of Cambridge, Emma’s previous experience includes work as an independent management consultant providing strategic support to acute NHS providers nationwide alongside positions as non-executive director and vice chair at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. She is said to have a particular interest in encouraging the exchange of ideas between different organisations and sectors to find innovative solutions.
“Our core ambition is to have a high-quality, community-centred health and care system by 2035, using the resources that we already have at our disposal to improve outcomes and the health of our patients and wider population,” ICB chief executive Kevin Lavery said.
“With her vast experience in supporting public sector and charitable organisations to navigate and embrace change in line with clear strategic goals, I am sure that Emma will encourage a solution-focused approach to the ongoing development of our health and care system.
Emma’s appointment begins on September 1, taking over from acting chair Roy Fisher, who replaced David Flory in March this year when he was appointed chair of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.
