Isle of Man Government is pleased to announce the appointment of the first Chair of Manx Care – Mr Andrew Foster CBE.
Manx Care has been created as a result of the Isle of Man Government’s undertaking to transform the Island’s health and social care system, which will include the creation of a new arms-length delivery organisation for integrated health and social care services.
This landmark occasion is part of the Health and Care Transformation Programme, within the Department of Health and Social Care, to deliver on the 26 recommendations set out in Sir Jonathan Michael’s Independent Review of the Isle of Man’s Health and Social Care System. Sir Jonathan Michael, as Independent Adviser to this programme, has supported the Department in making a final decision on the appointment of Mr Foster.
Mr Foster stood out among a high quality range of applicants because of his extensive leadership and managing experience of significant change projects within the UK health and care sector.
Mr Foster brings with him a wealth of relevant experience working in the UK health and care setting in both non-executive and executive roles, including a number of Chief Executive roles in NHS Foundation Trusts. Most recently he has taken on a number of roles for NHS England including as Executive Lead for Leadership.
He has extensive experience in supporting the delivery of critical services to the public and is adept at change management. He has also worked across numerous UK large organisations.
Mr Foster has taken up the role this week and is keen to learn how the Island has delivered its health and care while working with the Manx Care team to deliver the outcomes as recommended with the independent review, led by Sir Jonathan Michael in 2019.
David Ashford MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care added:
‘I welcome Mr Foster to this new and exciting role. He is joining us as massive changes are underway and will help steer us through uncharted territory that ultimately will benefit the Manx population.’ I am confident we have chosen someone who will understand our people and environment and help us bring Manx Care to fruition.’
Mr Foster commented:
‘I have always been interested in the link between high performing organisations and people management and see this role as an exciting and challenging use of my skills. I intend to use all my knowledge to deliver Manx Care to the people of the Isle of Man. I have mainly lived and worked across the North West of England in the healthcare arena so I look forward to working with the team on the Island.’
Manx Care will become responsible for the delivery of health and care services with the Department being responsible for the formulation of policy, strategy and legislation.
The process of the appointment of the four other Non-Executive Manx Care Board Members plus the Chief Executive Officer is continuing.
These changes are aimed at creating sustainable health and care services that meet the needs of the people of the Isle of Man for the long term. Manx Care will come into full operation on 1 April 2021.
For further information please visit the Health and Care Transformation page.
