Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health and Social Services
Professor Marcus Longley, is stepping down as Chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board at the end of the month after four years in post. It has not been possible to appoint a successor following the recent recruitment campaign and I have therefore asked Emrys Elias to take up the position for 18 months. I am very pleased that he has accepted my request and he will take up the position from 1 October 2021.
Mr Elias is currently the Vice-Chair of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and has considerable experience in leadership within the NHS. After training as a Mental Health Nurse he has held several senior clinical and managerial roles at an operational, strategic and Board level up until his retirement in 2016 when he was the Director of the NHS Wales Delivery Unit.
Mr Elias has a particular interest in multiagency working and the outcomes that can be achieved and has undertaken several projects and national and local service reviews in this area of work. He also advised Government and jointly led the national review of the Mental Health Care Programme Approach, the findings of which influenced the implementation of the Mental Health Measure.
All NHS bodies in Wales require strong and experienced leadership, however this is even more important for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board due to their current escalation status, together with the additional challenges organisations face in dealing with the impact of the pandemic. Whilst good progress has been made since April 2019, there is still much to do to develop the organisation under the leadership of the Chair and Chief Executive.
A formal process will commence to appoint a substantive chair through open competition at a later date.