Elwyn Price-Morris will be stepping down from his post as Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust on 30 September 2014.
The Trust Board has agreed that Tracy Myhill will succeed Elwyn as Chief Executive on an interim basis pending the recruitment and selection of a substantive replacement. Tracy is currently the Deputy Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. She will take up the post on 1 October 2014 for a period of 12-18 months.
Elwyn has been suffering with serious health problems for the past six months. Although he has continued to work until recently, he has now accepted medical advice that he needs to take time away from the workplace in order that the situation can be properly assessed and that the necessary steps can be taken to improve his health.
Elwyn has held discussions with the Chairman of the Trust and they have reached a mutual decision that in his own interest and the interests of the service, he will not be returning to the Chief Executive’s post once his health issues are resolved. This will enable the Trust to bring in new leadership at a critical time in the organisation’s development and allow Elwyn to seek out new opportunities to utilise his extensive experience of the Welsh public sector.
Mick Giannasi, the Trust’s Chairman said:
“Elwyn has led the Trust very ably for the last four years and has made a significant contribution to the development of the organisation during that time. Whilst there are still significant challenges to be addressed, not least the need to improve current levels of performance, he leaves the organisation in a stronger position than he took it over. I wish him every success in what he ultimately decides to do in the future but for now, resolving his health issues has to be his number one priority.”
“We are delighted that Tracy Myhill has agreed to join us to take over where Elwyn left off in our drive to modernise the organisation. As the Deputy Chief Executive in one of the UK’s biggest health boards, her experience in delivering change at pace will be invaluable. In addition to her proven leadership skills, she is also a highly respected human resources professional whose track record in resolving employee relations issues will be particularly helpful at this time.”
Tracy Myhill said:
“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead the Trust at this time and look forward to building on the progress made by Elwyn, the team and staff at the organisation. The Welsh Ambulance Service is a vital and highly valued service for the people of Wales and I look forward to focussing my time and attention, working with others, on the challenges needing to be addressed, so that the service we provide is highly regarded by all.”
Adam Cairns, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, added:
“On behalf of Tracy’s colleagues and friends at Cardiff and Vale, I’d like to thank Tracy for the work that she has done to develop our organisation and its services and to wish her every success in her new role.”
