New joint director for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG

Claire Richardson, the new joint director of commissioning at Rochdale Council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

A new joint director of commissioning has been appointed at Rochdale Council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as the current director retires.

Claire Richardson, currently the Director of Population Strategy and Transformation at the Pennine Lancashire CCGs/Integrated Care Partnership will take up the joint role based at Number One Riverside in the town centre at the beginning of February.

Blackburn-born and bred Claire has a good understanding of issues affecting diverse communities in northern towns and has worked in other joint commissioning roles across Pennine and Lancashire for nearly 20 years covering many different portfolios from teenage pregnancy and children and young people, to frailty and end of life care.

Claire has also led on the development of integrated care models for adults and children by working with different teams including governing body members, GPs and elected members.

Claire said: “I’m really excited to be joining the team in Rochdale. I am particularly drawn to the values of Rochdale as a place and partnership - especially the focus on supporting local people and communities to help themselves.

“I’m really passionate about working together across health, local government and the voluntary sector to make a real difference to local people’s and staff experiences and improving outcomes. In my career to date I’m particularly proud of the strong partnerships I have led, especially the integrated commissioning and neighbourhood delivery arrangements in Blackburn with Darwen, Pennine Lancashire’s Integrated Care Partnership and place based partnership arrangements across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS).”

Claire will take up her post on 1 February after the current director, Sally McIvor, retires after a long career in public service. Claire will take up the lead commissioning role for both the council and CCG and will represent them in the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership system and Combined Authority. Claire will become a member of the Integrated Commissioning Board and sit on the governing body of the CCG.

Council chief executive and CCG accountable officer, Steve Rumbelow said: “We are delighted that Claire will be joining the Rochdale team with such an impressive track record in leading change in these key areas.

“It’s only fitting that someone of her calibre picks up from Sally, who as the first joint director of commissioning in Rochdale for the last four years has forged the way for massive improvements to services for Rochdale people. I’m sure this journey will continue in Claire’s capable hands, leading the team going forward.”

Councillor Daalat Ali, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Leader for Healthy Lives said: “Claire is an excellent appointment for Rochdale, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise which will build on the dynamic work of Sally and the solid foundations she leaves behind. We are living through challenging times, but Claire has a proven track record in delivering change and shaping the health agenda.

“We had an excellent set of applications, but Claire’s experience, personality and skill set shone through. I am looking forward to working with her in the coming years, as we continue our visionary work to improve the lives of residents across the borough.”