NHS Yorkshire and the Humber has announced changes in the leadership of the Trust Board at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
The Appointments Commission has appointed Ms Della Cannings as the new Chairman of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust with effect from 10 May 2010.
She succeeds Dr Nick Varey who, after four years as Chairman at Yorkshire Ambulance Service and a total of 22 years serving on a number of NHS boards, has decided to retire.
Della Cannings served for 32 years as a police officer in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police and was Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police between 2002 and 2007. She holds the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM). Della is currently Deputy Chair of the National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care and Chairman of Independent Advisory Panel of the Army Foundation College (Harrogate).
As leader of the Trust Board, the Chairman’s role is to ensure that the service performs effectively by delivering high quality ambulance services for the local community and making the best use of financial resources to maximise benefits for patients.
Retiring Chairman Dr Nick Varey said: “I have enjoyed being part of such an ambitious organisation where we have worked hard to drive forward many improvements in emergency care for the people of Yorkshire. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Della and know that her experience and understanding of the emergency services will be valuable in helping to lead the Trust.”
Kathryn Riddle, Chairman of NHS Yorkshire and the Humber (Strategic Health Authority): “We look forward to working with Della in her new NHS role to further improve our healthcare services for the benefit of patients across the region. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Nick Varey for all that he has done at Yorkshire Ambulance Service. He has devoted his life to the medical profession and served the NHS with distinction and compassion. It has been a privilege to work with him and we wish him well in his retirement.”
Speaking of her appointment, Ms Della Cannings QPM said: ”I am pleased to be appointed Chairman of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and look forward to working with the staff to continue to develop and deliver a first class service of patient care. I pay tribute to Dr Nick Varey in bringing the service to its current structure and improved levels of performance.”
The appointment of all chairs and non-executive directors to NHS trusts is the responsibility of the Appointments Commission. All appointments are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. They are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Ms Cannings has no declared political activity.
The remuneration for the role is £20,896. The appointment is initially for four years.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service Chief Executive Martyn Pritchard will be leaving the Trust in June 2010 to lead a programme of work, on behalf of NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, to reform the urgent and emergency care system across the region. This will draw on his experience of working in primary care, the Department of Health and the ambulance service.
Commenting on his new appointment, Martyn Pritchard said: “As someone who has been the chief executive of both provider and commissioning organisations I can see both sides of the challenges the NHS faces and I hope that I will be able to make a real difference in improving urgent and emergency care for patients across Yorkshire.”
The recruitment process to appoint Martyn’s successor is underway by NHS Yorkshire and the Humber.
