Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has welcomed news that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have appointed a new Chief Executive and looks forward to working with her to help tackle the health and social care problems facing North Wales.
Jo Whitehead will join Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board from her current role as Chief Executive of Mackay Hospital and Health Service in Queensland, Australia.
After more than 30 years of experience working in healthcare in both the UK and Australia, she is now returning to her roots in North Wales.
With the health board having been in special measures for more than five years, James is hoping that this change at the helm will result in the improvements needed for the special measures to be finally lifted.
He said:
“I would like to welcome Jo back to North Wales, and I wish her the very best of luck in her new role.
“Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been in special measures now since 2015, so Jo certainly has her work cut out.
“However, with her wealth of experience, I am hopeful that she will rise to the challenge and provide the leadership required to reverse the fate of this much troubled health board.
“I very much look forward to meeting Jo to discuss priorities and ways forward for health and social care across North Wales and to working with her to help make the improvements needed to provide the people of North Wales with the health service they both need and deserve.”
The interim Chief Executive, Simon Dean, will return to his role as Deputy Chief Executive and Gill Harris, the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Nursing, will perform the role of Chief Executive until Ms Whitehead's arrival in January 2021.
