Interim Chief Officer for new Health and Social Care Integration Partnership appointed

Perth & Kinross Council and NHS Tayside are pleased to announce that John Walker has been appointed as Interim Chief Officer for Health and Social Care Integration in Perth and Kinross.

John will take up the role from 1 April 2014 alongside his current responsibilities as Executive Director for the Housing & Community Care service of Perth & Kinross Council.

Over the coming year the Interim Chief Officer will lead on the transition arrangements in preparation for the Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Board which will be established in April 2015.

As Interim Chief Officer John will report to the Chief Executives of both Perth & Kinross Council and NHS Tayside. He will also be responsible for preparing the Integration Scheme and Strategic Plan which will define the scope of the new Partnership, the outcomes it will deliver and how these will be achieved.

A Pathfinder Board for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership has already been established which includes elected members of Perth & Kinross Council, non-executive members of NHS Tayside Board and senior representatives from Perth & Kinross Council, NHS Tayside and PKAVS. John’s appointment as Interim Chief Officer is the next important step in bringing the Health and Social Care Partnership to fruition to improve the health outcomes for individuals, families and their carers.

John has been a member of the senior management team of Housing & Community Care since 2009, firstly as Depute Director before being appointed to the post of Executive Director in October last year. He has an extensive background in public sector, having begun his career in local government as an accountant 29 years ago.

On his appointment, John said: “I am looking forward to this exciting new challenge, and to working together with all of the partners involved in making Health and Social Care Integration a reality in Perth and Kinross.

“I have been fortunate to have been involved with the development of the Reshaping Care for Older People partnership between the Council, NHS Tayside and the voluntary and independent sectors in this area. I am keen to see how the experiences we have gained from working together in services for older people can be used to shape the development of the Health and Social Care Partnership in Perth and Kinross.”

David Burke, Depute Chief Executive of Perth & Kinross Council, said: “John’s appointment as Interim Chief Officer is a very important step forward in integrating adult health and social care services within Perth and Kinross to improve the health outcomes for individuals, families and their carers.

“Having worked with John for a number of years I am sure that his wide experience in local government and his close involvement in partnership working with health colleagues can only be of benefit to the new Health and Social Care Partnership as it develops.”

Chief Executive of NHS Tayside, Lesley McLay said: “John has already played a key role in developing integrated services for older people in Perth and Kinross and establishing our existing close working arrangements.

“The experience he brings in partnership working will be a real asset as we all work together to ensure the communities of Perth & Kinross have access to quality health and social care services.”