The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Cheshire West Integrated Care Partnership (CWICP) are announcing new Chairs Elect.
Outgoing CWICP Chair Chris Hannah will become the new Chair at The Countess from 1 April 2020, replacing Sir Duncan Nichol CBE when he retires, with Andrea Campbell taking over as Interim Chair of CWICP.
Chris, who will be taking on the role at The Countess initially for 12 months, has almost four decades of experience in NHS management, including a number of Chief Executive positions including Cheshire & Merseyside Strategic Health Authority. She has more recently worked both as Chair of the CWICP and as a Non-Executive Director at The Countess since 2018. Chris is a former chair of Skills for Health and a charity providing support to people with mental health and learning disabilities.
Andrea, a Non-Executive Director at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, will step up from her role as Vice Chair of CWICP for 12 months and will also join the Countess as an Associate Non-Executive Director. After starting her career at secretarial school in her native USA, she took a health role at the King’s Fund Emergency Bed Service in London and then as a unit administrator for a new service in learning disabilities. Andrea went on to work in health policy at Hammersmith Council in London before relocating to the North West.
During this time, she undertook a master’s degree at Leeds University in social and public policy and was asked to take on a new post as an Executive Director for community care within Sefton’s health authority. Whilst at Sefton, Andrea set up the first North West Secure Commissioning team.
Chris said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair of the Countess of Chester Hospital. The Trust has a strong reputation with a dedicated workforce. There are strong foundations here, but the NHS is experiencing many challenges and we are no different. It is vitally important that the Board of Directors is as effective as it possibly can be in meeting those challenges head on and I will play my part in that. I am also looking forward to working more closely with the governors, our staff and partners as we seek to continue providing high-quality services to the population of West Cheshire and Flintshire.
“Sir Duncan leaves big shoes to fill and I would like to thank him for his years of outstanding service and wish him well in his retirement.”
The Countess of Chester Hospital’s Lead Governor, Peter Folwell, said: “The Council of Governors are delighted that Chris has been appointed as Chair. With her recent experience as a Non-Executive Director she will provide a strong level of continuity and she fully appreciates both the strengths and challenges we face at the hospital.”
Andrea said: “Cheshire West’s health and care system provides good care, but we can do better. Only by working together to tackle our challenges – with the support of local residents – will we develop a joined-up health and care system which provides more care and support where and when you want it to help you live five more healthy years.
“Chris has done a tremendous job as Chair of CWICP. I will ensure that all of the good work so far is carried forward, while also welcoming new ideas and approaches to support the ongoing development of CWICP.”