We are pleased to confirm that Dame Gill Morgan has been named by NHS England as the Chair designate for the Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), subject to the new statutory NHS body coming into being on 1 April 2022.

Gill has been independent Chair of the One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) since December 2019, a voluntary partnership between the NHS and care organisations in the county to help keep people healthy, support active communities and ensure high quality, joined up care.

The new ICB organisation will fulfil the commissioning functions of the current CCG and some from NHS England; will be responsible for overseeing the day to day running of the NHS locally and for developing a plan to meet the healthcare needs of the population.

It will work hand in glove with a strong Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) bringing together health, social care, public health and wider partners to develop a broader health and care plan for Gloucestershire (integrated care strategy).

Gill has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the NHS and third sector at national and local level and will continue to be a major asset to the county.

She has extensive leadership experience having held a number of senior roles including Chair of the Alzheimer’s Society, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and Chief Executive of North and East Devon Health Authority. She has also been a Permanent Secretary in the Welsh Government.

More recently Gill has been Chair of NHS Providers since 2014, Vice Chair of the Lloyds’ Bank Foundation for England and Wales (a grant giver for small charities), Commissioner (Vice Chair) for the review of physical and sexual abuse in women suffering multiple disadvantage and is Patron of the Infection Prevention Society.

Gill, who was educated at University College London Medical School, holds a number of honours and professional qualifications and has received training in public health, general practice and hospital medicine.

In her long career, Gill has shown great passion for high quality care, championing the rights and needs of vulnerable individuals and innovation in services and support.

Commenting on her appointment, Gill said:

“Since becoming Chair of the ICS it has been awe inspiring to see the ambition shown in Gloucestershire to forge strong partnerships, be creative and innovative in delivering excellent care and empowering people and communities to stay healthy.

The pandemic has presented considerable challenges to health and care professionals and partner organisations, but the desire to work together and deliver the best possible support and care to local people, including the most vulnerable, has highlighted what Gloucestershire is all about.

We need to continue to maximise the resources and opportunities available to us, support our talented health and care professionals and harness the considerable strengths and knowhow in our communities.

I am very proud to be associated with the ICS in Gloucestershire and I am excited to be playing my part in delivering One Gloucestershire’s long term priorities as part of this great partnership which also has service users, carers, the public, staff, local authorities and the VCS at its heart.”

Welcoming her appointment, Elizabeth O’Mahony, Regional Director, NHS England and Improvement, South West commented:

“Gill is an exceptional Chair and we are thrilled that Gloucestershire will continue to benefit from her extensive knowledge and expertise. We very much look forward to working alongside her, local leaders and health and care partners to support recovery and build on the significant progress already made by the One Gloucestershire family.”

Gloucestershire has been working in voluntary partnership as an Integrated Care System (ICS) since May 2018.

Over recent years, it has placed an even greater focus on supporting people to keep healthy and independent and providing more joined up care and support to people with physical and mental health needs in their own homes, GP surgery, community or hospital.