THE accountable officer of Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) has announced his forthcoming retirement in May 2018.

Simon Hairsnape joined the NHS in 1977, aged 19, firstly in hospital services and then public health.

Over the last 25 years he has led commissioning in a number of NHS organisations, principally within the West Midlands.

Mr Hairsnape will provide part time transitional support to the system for a few more months, as well as concentrating on teaching and research roles at the University of Worcester and contributing to the leadership of a number of national and local charities.

He said: “It has been a privilege to work for the NHS for over 40 years. Leaving will be a big wrench, but the time is right for me personally and the right time to hand over the reins to a new generation."

Dr Ian Tait, the CCG’s chairman said: “On behalf of the Governing Body, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for Simon’s dedication and contribution to Herefordshire and the wider NHS over 40 years - a truly long standing and highly respected NHS servant.”

Simon Trickett, currently the single joint Accountable Officer for NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove CCG, NHS South Worcestershire CCG and NHS Wyre Forest CCG will take over from Mr Hairsnape, whilst retaining his Worcestershire roles.

While the four CCGs will share the same accountable officer, each CCG will retain its own legal status, ensuring that decisions remain locally-led.

However, the appointment presents an opportunity for the CCGs to work closer together across the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership ‘footprint’ to deliver improved care for patients.