Ed Garratt has been appointed as the executive lead of Suffolk and North East Essex integrated care system (ICS).
Mr Garratt takes over the role from East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Nick Hulme, who was formerly Suffolk and North East Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) accountable officer.
Suffolk and north east Essex ICS is one of the four STPs that were selected last year to become an ICS. Mr Garratt will lead the emerging integrated system – which covers a population of almost one million – together with an independent ICS chair, who is expected to be appointed later this month.
Mr Garratt will continue to work as accountable officer for the three CCGs in the area – NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG, NHS West Suffolk CCG and NHS North East Essex CCG.
‘Delighted and honoured’
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Garratt said: ‘I am delighted and honoured to have been given the role of executive lead for our local ICS and to continue my leadership of all three CCGs.
‘There is already an excellent relationship between the CCGs, but this provides greater consistency of approach and will also enable the best use of our resources.
‘I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding leadership that Nick Hulme has given to the STP and I am looking forward to continuing to work with partners to deliver improved outcomes for our population.’
NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG chair Dr Mark Shenton said that Mr Garrett has ‘the right skills to build co-operation and great relationships’.
NHS West Suffolk CCG chair Dr Christopher Browning and NHS North East Essex CCG chair Dr Hasan Chowhan also welcomed his appointment, adding that they are confident his leadership will benefit patients and staff alike.
