The Chief Executive of the Department of Health David Killip is to retire from the Civil Service on the 31 March, after a 38 year career, coinciding with the date when the Department of Health ceases to exist because of the creation of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Commenting on his retirement, Mr Killip said:
'The restructuring of government departments coming into effect on 1 April has been in the planning stage since the late summer of 2013. That was when I first became aware of the proposals, as a consequence of me being a member of the Chief Officer Group. For some time past, specifically to aid succession planning, I had made it clear to the Civil Service Commission that it was my intention to retire from my post after 40 years service, in the early part of 2016. The effect of the restructuring would mean that my retirement would occur scarcely two years following the creation of the new Department of Health and Social Care. I felt it was questionable whether it would be helpful for the development of that new Department, were I to be its Chief Executive, for there to be a change of post-holder at such an early stage, with the process to recruit my successor occurring even sooner. Consequently I have decided to retire now. For me, this will be an enormous culture shock after 38 years in the Civil Service and most importantly I will miss many of my colleagues who are professional, hardworking and great fun to be with. Nonetheless, the prospect of more time for motorcycling, academic study and walking my dogs in the fantastic Manx countryside, is irresistible.'
An announcement on the appointment of a Chief Executive of the newly formed Department of Health and Social Care will be made in the coming days.
