Stephen Eames appointed Designate Integrated Care System Chief Executive in Humber, Coast and Vale

Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership is delighted to announce it has appointed Stephen Eames CBE as its Designate Integrated Care System (ICS) Chief Executive.

Stephen will also be appointed Designate Chief Executive of the anticipated NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Integrated Care Partnership (ICP). Final appointment to the role of Chief Executive of the ICS, ICB and ICP is dependent on the passage of the Health and Care Bill, and any potential amendments made to that Bill.

Stephen’s appointment comes after the HCV Partnership (ICS) appointed Sue Symington as its ICS Chair in October.

Each integrated care system (ICS) in England is required to appoint a Chair and a Chief Executive as part of the guidance issued to help embed ICSs in legislation by April 2022, subject to legislation approval.

Stephen takes on the role as Chief Executive of the HCV Partnership (ICS) having served as its System Lead and Independent Chair since June 2019. Prior to his time in Humber, Coast and Vale, Stephen held roles as System Lead for North Cumbria Integrated Health and Care System, Chief Executive of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Chief Executive of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Stephen Eames said: “I am extremely honoured to be appointed as ICS Chief Executive for Humber, Coast and Vale; to help to lead our integrated care system into this new era. I look forward to building on the work of the Partnership over the last five years to help build an even stronger Partnership that will deliver better health and care for the future.”

Richard Barker, North East and Yorkshire Regional Director, NHS England and NHS Improvement, said: “We are extremely pleased to appoint Stephen as the Humber, Coast and Vale Designate Chief Executive. His role is extremely important as our Integrated Care Systems move towards becoming enshrined in legislation as part of the changes in the Health and Care Bill.

“The leaders of our ICSs have a vital role working with all system partners to deliver excellent care and improve the health of the communities we support. Getting our leadership structures and governance right is important but integrated care is about practical, real improvements for local populations and the ICSs are uniquely placed to move this forward in bold and innovative ways.”

Sue Symington, Designate ICS Chair, HCV Partnership (ICS), who led the ICS CEO recruitment panel, said: “We are extremely pleased to appoint Stephen as ICS CEO in Humber, Coast and Vale. I am sure that given his substantial leadership experience in the NHS, which spans more than 30 years, Stephen will be very successful in the role.”

For more information about the development of the Integrated Care System in Humber, Coast and Vale, please visit: humbercoastandvale.org.uk/why/our-ics