3 North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups announce appointments to strategic leadership team

The three North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG and NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG, today announce two appointments to their shared senior leadership team.

Wendy Balmain has joined the team as Director of Strategy and Integration. Wendy previously served as Director of Transformation and Delivery for Harrogate and Rural District CCG where she was responsible for delivering health care commissioning for the CCG and led work to integrate community and adult social care services. Wendy brings extensive experience across health and social care both at a national and local level to her new role. As Director of Strategy and Integration she will be responsible for primary care transformation and commissioning, including implementation of primary care networks, and will work closely with partners across North Yorkshire to expand integrated service models.

Simon Cox has been appointed permanent Director of Acute Commissioning. Simon has been serving in this role temporarily since January 2019. Prior to this he served as Chief Officer of NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG. Simon started his career as a practitioner in operating theatres in Leeds General Infirmary and brings thirty years of NHS experience to his new role. As Director of Acute Commissioning he will oversee the relationship with acute providers across the three North Yorkshire CCGs including commissioning and performance. He will also support transformation and service redesign initiatives ensuring that acute care best serves the needs of North Yorkshire.

Both Wendy and Simon have commenced in their new roles. Amanda Bloor, Accountable Officer for the North Yorkshire CCGs, said: “I am delighted that we have secured such talented senior leaders to work alongside me as we transform the way we deliver for the people of North Yorkshire.

“Wendy and Simon are the first directors to join the team which will provide strategic leadership for the three North Yorkshire CCGs, replacing director positions which were previously replicated across the CCGs. This ‘scaled up’ approach will enable us to work strategically with our partners as well as achieve consistent decision making across North Yorkshire for the people we serve.

“Both Wendy and Simon bring a wealth of health care and leadership experience and decades of public service to their new roles. They are committed to retaining the local focus of our work, delivering for local people, while enabling us to share good practice across North Yorkshire. This will enable us to make the most of our combined resources and contribute to better health outcomes for our community.”

In September 2018 the three CCGs’ Governing Bodies voted to introduce a shared senior leadership team across the three organisations. Recruitment is under way for three remaining positions on the new team:  Director of Vulnerable People, Director of Corporate service, Governance and Performance and Chief Nurse. Announcements will be made once appointments have taken place.

For further information contact the Communications Team at hardccg.media-enquiries@nhs.net or 01423 799300.