Ex SHA chief gets top integration job

Sir Neil McKay has been appointed as chair of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin STP, according to a statement published yesterday.

He is currently also the independent chair of the financially challenged Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent STP and chair of Hampshire and Isle of Wight STP. A spokeswoman for Staffordshire said Sir Neil would continue as chair for this STP. 

His appointment comes amidst significant challenges facing Shropshire’s main acute provider Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust.

Sir Neil has previously been chair of the North Cumbria success regime, chief executive of the East of England Strategic Health Authority and chief operating officer for the Department of Health and Social Care.

He takes over from former chair Simon Wright, chief executive of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust, who stepped down from his STP role in July this year.

In a statement, Sir Neil said: “I’m very much looking forward to joining the STP. I have been struck by the enthusiasm and commitment of the local health and care leaders to convert good ideas into tangible improvements for local people.”

Mr Wright said: “I am delighted that Sir Neil McKay has been appointed as chair for the STP and that we will have such an experienced NHS leader working with us to improve health and care services across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.”

This story was corrected at 15:57 after HSJ received information that Sir Neil is also chair of Hampshire and Isle of Wight STP.