New Devon health services 'boss' announced

Devon's health services have a new boss at a time of 'significant change and uncertainty'.

The chair of the new NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Devon ICB Cluster has been announced as John Govett following approval by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
He was taking up his new role from September 1 ahead of the first cluster Board meeting, when he also hopes to be able to announce the new aligned group of ICBs’ and Cluster Non-Executive Directors, along with the new ICB Cluster governance and committee arrangements.
Describing his appointment as a privilege to take on the leadership role, John said: “We now need to shift our focus to delivering both the 10-year plan and to further supporting all our providers in delivering in-year 25/26 budgets and operational plans to improve services and outcomes for local people that together we jointly signed off back in the Spring.
"We are working across our cluster footprint to bring closer working between our ICBs, acute trusts, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, primary care, mental health providers, local authorities and others to transform the way we commission and contract health services for our local communities and populations.
"We will consider the impact on our staff and service provision while also ensuring the re-structure of our ICBs is fit-for-purpose for the NHS 10-year plan ahead of us all. I want to take a moment to thank Kevin Orford, outgoing Chair of NHS Devon, for his leadership and contribution to the Devon system and beyond.

"Kevin, who announced some time ago that he would be stepping down, is very well respected across the county, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations he has helped put in place.

"This is a time of significant change, and I know that brings uncertainty. But I also know that across our system we have extraordinary people, staff, clinicians, leaders, partners and volunteers who continue to innovate and deliver in the face of complex challenges.
"Whilst continuing the work we have supported getting underway in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, I am also particularly looking forward to working more closely with teams across Devon to ensure our new cluster board supports continued improvement through integrated and community-focused care from where ever that develops, along with delivery of in-year plans and we gain clarity of how we locally plan to achieve the NHS 10-year plan as ICBs and as a wider health and care
system.
"I am fully committed to providing strong, stable leadership as we enter this new phase, with a clear focus on delivering for the people and communities we serve. With my appointment now confirmed, we expect our new cluster Chief executive to
be announced shortly.

"We will update you further as soon as we know more. We will then look to then progress at pace to be ready for winter and the 2026/27 and 5-year planning cycles."

He added: "I hope to meet many of you in person over the coming months to share our plans and important next steps in the journey ahead of us. Until then, thank you for everything you continue to do in these unprecedented and
uncertain times."