30.08.17
NHS England names new primary care boss
NHS England has named the successor to Rosamond Roughton after she announced earlier this year she would be taking a career break, and standing down as the national director of commissioning.
Dominic Hardy, who is currently director of commissioning operations in Wessex at NHS England South, will take up the position in October.
His key responsibilities will cover primary care, including the ambitious Five Year Forward View Next Steps targets.
Responding to the news, Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the RCGP, said: “Ros has been a sound, critical friend of the college during her time at NHS England – challenging but supportive, and always a champion of the vital role played by general practitioners in the modern NHS.”
“I’d personally like to thank her for her support, particularly in developing and launching the GP Forward View and monitoring its progress.”
She added that the college looks forward to working with Hardy in ensuring the GP Forward View is “delivered in full”.
Recently, the RCGP and BMA have been vocal in criticising the progress made against the Forward View. In particular, they warned that NHS England is falling short of its target to recruit 5,000 more GPs into the profession by 2020. They added that a ‘rethink’ was now needed to get the programme back on track.
Matthew Swindells, national director of operations and information at NHS England, said he was “delighted” to announce the appointment of Hardy to this role.
Dominic has a proven track record of managing complex projects and partnership working that will take forward our plans to ensure that primary care remains the cornerstone of the NHS, attracts high-quality staff whilst being able to respond to the changing demands of patients and communities, he added.
“Under Ros Roughton’s stewardship we have taken made significant strides including in launching the GP Forward View and overseeing additional investment into primary care,” said Swindells. “I am grateful to Ros for her work and look forward to seeing her back in NHS England in the future.”
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