As we approach the launch of the new NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, also more commonly known as NHS Norfolk and Waveney, additional partner members have now been formally appointed to the Board.

Jonathan Barber, Director of Strategy and Transformation at James Paget University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed as Partner Member – NHS Trusts (Acutes).

Stuart Richardson, Chief Executive of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed as Partner Member – NHS Trusts (Mental Health and Community Services).

Dr Hilary Byrne, currently a Governing Body Member of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group and GP at the Attleborough Group Practice has been appointed as Partner Member – NHS Primary Medical Services.

James Bullion, Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Norfolk County Council – Local Authority Partner Member.

Sue Cook, Executive Director of People Services, Suffolk County Council – Local Authority Partner Member.

Emma Ratzer MBE, Norfolk and Waveney Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Assembly (VCSE) Chair, Chief Executive Officer of Access Community Trust – VCSE Board Member.

Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Chair of Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System and Chair of NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “I am delighted that more members of the Board of NHS Norfolk and Waveney have been appointed and we are well on our way in making sure that the Board composition fully reflects the organisations, sectors, people and communities of Norfolk and Waveney.

“Although we started working together well before the pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccination programme showed how our GPs, nurses and other staff in primary and community care could work together with their local council, community and faith groups, mobilising volunteers and drawing on the support of the wider system to create one of the most successful vaccination schemes in the country. That local approach will be the foundation of our Integrated Care System, supported by health and wellbeing partnerships that bring together local government with the voluntary sector, the NHS and other key partners.

“Just as local people know best what their community needs if they are to flourish, each of us is the expert in our own lives. And all of us have a responsibility for our own health and wellbeing. So, our Integrated Care System will have at its heart a constant process of listening to people, learning from their experience and acting on what we hear.

“These new confirmed roles on the Board of NHS Norfolk and Waveney means we can help take forward this unique opportunity to build on what we’ve achieved, to tackle the backlog of waiting lists left by the pandemic and to transform and integrate care around the needs of people, families and communities. By working together, we can help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives.”

The first Board meeting of NHS Norfolk and Waveney takes place on Friday 1 July 2022. Full details are available here with an opportunity to join in person or online.