Inadequate CCG appoints new chief officer

Nick Robinson took up the role with Somerset CCG three weeks ago, replacing David Slack who left shortly after the CCG received the lowest rating from NHS England.

Mr Slack, a long serving NHS manager in Somerset, had led the CCG since it was formed in 2013.

Mr Robinson, who has been appointed on a 12 month basis, has recently worked as interim leader of Bedfordshire and Great Yarmouth and Waveney CCGs.

His LinkedIn page says he has also been a consultant at EY and Atos, as well as holding director level positions at several NHS trusts in the 1990s.

Among his immediate priorities will be the turnaround of the CCG’s finances.

The £750m budget CCG recorded a deficit of £3m for the first time in 2016-17, and is forecasting a £17.2m deficit this year.

However, it was set a control total of a £1.7m deficit by NHS England, which means it has become part of the capped expenditure process with its providers.

On a strategic level, the CCG plans to create a single commissioning body with Somerset County Council as part of the area’s drive to become an accountable care system by 2019.

Last month, HSJ reported the CCG had been criticised by consultants Attain for spending too much time in meetings and its decision making ability was seen as “weak” by stakeholders.

• Article amended at 2.41pm after new information was provided to HSJ.