Chief of embattled Welsh health board to leave post

Carol Shillabeer, former chief executive of the North Wales health board(Image: NHS)

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has confirmed that chief executive Carol Shillabeer will depart the organisation following three and a half years in post. She took up the position as interim chief executive in May 2023 - shortly after the health board had been returned to special measures by the Welsh Government.

While there have been some improvements during her tenure, the health board remains under special measures, with ongoing issues in critical areas, such as emergency department waiting times.

She has now secured the position of chief executive at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in North West England, reports North Wales Live.

Dyfed Edwards, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: "Carol joined Betsi Cadwaladr at an exceptionally challenging point in the organisation's history and has provided committed and determined leadership over the past three and a half years.

Ms Shillabeer joined as an interim chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Heath Board in May 2023(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)

"Considerable work remains to be done and we are very clear that our improvement journey continues. The Board will now consider the appropriate leadership arrangements and will communicate these once the necessary processes have been completed."

Carol Shillabeer said: "It has been an enormous privilege to serve as chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. I am very proud of what colleagues across the organisation have achieved during an extremely demanding period. I have seen at first hand the commitment of our staff to patients, families and communities across North Wales.

"The opportunity to become chief executive of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is an exciting next step for me professionally, but leaving Betsi Cadwaladr and the many people I have worked alongside will not be easy."

Carol Shillabeer will take up her position at the new organisation early in the new year, remaining in her current role as chief executive until that point. The Health Board is set to announce both interim and longer-term leadership arrangements in due course.

Darren Millar MS, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, commented: "The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board needs a competent chief executive with the ability to get to grips with the failings of the NHS in North Wales and turn poor performance around.

"Sadly, Carol Shillabeer was not able to do that job.

"I wish her all the very best for the future, and I look forward to engaging positively with whoever becomes her successor as they seek to deliver better health services for people across the region."

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