Vaughan Gething, Minister for Health and Social Services
On 23 November 2020, I provided an update on establishing a new Special Health Authority called Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) and confirmed that a recruitment campaign for the Vice-Chair and non-Executive Directors would begin.
I am pleased to announce the campaign has now concluded with the appointment of a Vice-Chair and five non-Executive Directors from a broad field of candidates. The appointees bring with them a wealth of experience from a wide range of sectors.
Ruth Glazzard has been appointed as the Vice-Chair for DHCW, Ruth has a background in financial services, regulation and governance and also has non-executive Board experience with a housing association and a social enterprise.
Grace Quantock holds a number of non-executive positions in health, social care and human rights, and has experience in digital and creative technologies research with Cardiff University and the University of the West of England.
Rowan Gardner has over 30 years’ experience of working in and founding businesses that have used digital technology to understand disease and find new treatments and medicines. She is also a keen advocate of diversity in science, technology and engineering.
Sian Doyle has international experience in the telecommunications and retail sectors, working to deliver transformation and digital strategies. Sian is a Trustee of National Theatre Wales and a fluent Welsh Speaker.
David Selway is a Chartered Engineer with over 40 years’ experience in using digital technology to drive transformation across IT and engineering organisations.
Marian Wyn Jones has extensive experience in journalism and broadcasting and has held non-Executive positions in education, health and broadcasting. A fluent Welsh speaker, Marian is a Trustee of Arts Council Wales and the Chair of Council of Bangor University.
The Vice-Chair and non-Executive Directors will support the Interim Chair of DHCW, Bob Hudson OBE, to establish and embed good governance and assurance practices into DHCW as it develops its strategic vision and delivery priorities.
In addition, three Executive Directors have been appointed to DHCW. These appointments will provide continuity as the NHS Wales Informatics Service transitions into DHCW but will also build on experience to ensure that the new organisation delivers digital transformation for Health and Care in Wales in the future.
Helen Thomas has been appointed as the Interim Chief Executive until 1 September 2021. Helen has over 20 years of experience in using healthcare information and data to improve NHS services and has led the NHS Wales Informatics Service in providing digital services to support COVID-19 response. A process to appoint a substantive Chief Executive for DHCW is currently underway, with applications closing on 2 April 2021.
Rhidian Hurle will serve as the Medical Director for DHCW, Rhidian is a Consultant Urological Surgeon and the current Chief Clinical Information Officer for Wales. He is an advocate of the use of digital technology to support clinicians delivering care and to provide better outcomes for patients in Wales.
Claire Osmundsen-Little has been appointed as the Director of Finance. Claire has over 20 years’ experience, holding senior finance positions in both the private sector and within NHS Wales, leading on finance transformation and delivering efficiencies.
Digital Health and Care Wales will be operational from 1 April 2021. I am confident that these appointments will ensure that DHCW has the appropriate Digital, Strategic and Clinical leadership to take advantage of the opportunities for health and care services in Wales that the establishment of this new Special Health Authority presents.