Chief Executive of NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria reflects on first two weeks in role

Kevin Lavery, Chief Executive Designate for the new NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) in Lancashire and South Cumbria, has spent his first few weeks re-familiarising himself with the local system and the people working within it.

Kevin, who previously worked in Lancashire a number of years ago, has had a busy couple of weeks visiting the local hospitals, meeting leaders and colleagues working in the NHS and Local Authorities, and has already connected with many people working in partner organisations; forming relationships that will be vital as the health and care partnership continues to develop within the Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care system.

Kevin explained: “We face significant challenges with Covid cases rising again, financial pressures, disparities across our communities and the work required to set up the new organisation. Yet, you can also feel and touch the overwhelming sense of opportunity in Lancashire and South Cumbria and the collective ambition to grasp it. No challenge is too big to be overcome.

“I will be using the next two months to get beneath the skin of our system to identify what needs to be done going forward so that we can build on the solid foundations that are in place.

“So far I have visited the Royal Preston and Royal Blackburn Hospitals, and met staff working extremely hard despite significant pressures in the system. I have also met with Blackpool Council, to understand the local issues there and solutions that have been developed.

“I look forward to visiting more services over the coming weeks, hearing from partners, colleagues, patients and members of the public so we can become clear on what we need to do together to improve health and wellbeing across Lancashire and South Cumbria.”