The Chief Executive of the Department of Health and Social Care has today left his role with the Isle of Man Government.
Dr Malcolm Couch held the position of Chief Executive since June 2015. During this time, the DHSC’s five-year strategy to create a sustainable and integrated health and care system was approved unanimously by Tynwald.
Over the past 13 months, in addition to leading delivery of the department’s many services, Dr Couch has given close support to Sir Jonathan Michael and his team during the fundamental and independent review of the Island’s health and care system in preparation for the final report being presented to Tynwald later this month.
Sir Jonathan’s progress report in January indicated that a wide range of reforms would be recommended, which are likely to take a number of years to deliver in full if they are approved by Tynwald. Dr Couch has decided the time is right for him to pursue new opportunities and enable the DHSC to assemble a leadership team to take it through the transformation process.
Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford MHK said:
‘I thank Malcolm for the dedication and enormous hard work that he has given to the DHSC, and wish him well for the future. I would also like to thank him for the help and support he has provided to me personally during my 15 months as Minister.
'While many of his colleagues will be saddened by today’s news, the foundations for change which Malcolm has laid will serve us well as we embark on the next phase in our vision to become the best small-island health and care system in the world’.
