This is who will lead the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care System covering Leeds
The West Yorkshire-wide healthcare organisation - which is set to be given more powers in a shake-up of the NHS - has appointed its CEO-designate.
Rob Webster has been appointed new CEO-designate for the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System (ICS) which, if Government plans are approved, will take over budgets and commissioning powers for the region, currently held by Clinical Commissioning Groups such as Leeds CCG.
The reorganisation is part of the Health and Care Bill which is currently going through Parliament, and had its second reading at the House of Commons on July 14. It contains a series of measures which would formally establish ICSs and give their governing bodies a broader range of responsibilities.
Rob has led the West Yorkshire ICS since 2016 and has now been appointed its CEO-designate, after a recruitment process through NHS England and NHS Improvement, ready to take up the post from April 2022 should Parliament confirm the plans.
He has carried out his role at the ICS alongside working as chief executive for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
He said: ‘It’s a privilege to have been confirmed as CEO-Designate for the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and our Integrated Care System.
“Our work in West Yorkshire in the coming years will be built upon an established track record of strong system leadership and working across health and care with our communities.
“ I am in no doubt that this will be a period of significant challenge for all of us, as well as a significant opportunity.
“Together, we can make meaningful and lasting improvements that improve outcomes for all, whoever we are and wherever we live.”
Cathy Elliott, Chair-Designate for the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said: ‘This important appointment is great news for us all.
“With a strong focus on distributed leadership, Rob firmly believes in the power of the NHS, councils, Healthwatch, hospices, the voluntary community social enterprise sector and communities being equal partners at a local and system level for better joined up care for people, delivered locally.