Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (ICS) was recently part of a national process to appoint a Designate Chief Executive of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), ready to take up the post as soon as the Bill receives Royal Assent.

Birmingham and Solihull were not able to make a substantive appointment following the recruitment process.

Strong and effective interim leadership arrangements had already been agreed and were in place following the retirement in September of Paul Jennings, from his role as Chief Executive and Accountable Officer for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group.

Until a permanent Chief Executive is appointed, these interim arrangements will be built upon. David Melbourne, who has been leading the development of the Birmingham and Solihull ICS, will take on the full responsibilities of the role of Designate Interim Chief Executive of the Integrated Care Board for this period of time. Karen Helliwell will remain as Interim Accountable Officer of the CCG to ensure a smooth handover and continued leadership for the transition of the CCG.

Work is now underway to confirm who will take up senior roles within the Integrated Care Board, to support Dame Yve Buckland as Chair, and David, as Designate Interim Chief Executive, from Spring 2022. The Integrated Care Board will be responsible for NHS budgets and functions, and for working with the full range of partners and local communities to improve services and the health of the communities in Birmingham and Solihull.

The next step will be to recruit Non-Executive Members and Executive Directors to the ICB over the coming weeks, more details of which will be shared in due course.