Betsi Cadwaladr chief executive to leave for English NHS trust

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 23:09 · Archive

Carol Shillabeer, chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales, is leaving to lead Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

Carol Shillabeer is stepping down as chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales after three and a half years. She has been appointed chief executive of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in North West England and will take up the post early in the new year.

Ms Shillabeer joined Betsi Cadwaladr as interim chief executive in May 2023, shortly after the health board was placed back into special measures by Welsh Government due to what the organisation describes as 'serious concerns about performance, leadership and culture'. The health board remains in special measures, with continuing concerns in key areas including emergency department waiting times, though there have been some areas of improvement during her tenure.

Betsi Cadwaladr says that since her appointment, Ms Shillabeer has led the organisation through a period of stabilisation and improvement, working with the Board, Executive Team and colleagues to focus on improving services across North Wales.

Dyfed Edwards, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr, said Ms Shillabeer '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'. He added that 'considerable work remains to be done' and that the improvement journey continues.

Ms Shillabeer said it had been 'an enormous privilege' to serve as chief executive and that she was proud of what colleagues across the organisation had achieved during the demanding period. She described the opportunity at Lancashire and South Cumbria as 'an exciting next step' but acknowledged that 'leaving Betsi Cadwaladr and the many people I have worked alongside will not be easy'.

The health board will now consider appropriate leadership arrangements and communicate these once necessary processes have been completed. Ms Shillabeer will remain in her current role until taking up her new position early in the new year.

How it is being reported

• Betsi Cadwaladr health board chief executive Carol Shillabeer to leave postShe joined as an interim chief executive in May 2023 - shortly after the health board had been placed back into special measuresNorth Wales Live · 13 Nov, 17:55
• Betsi Cadwaladr chief executive to leave post after three yearsMs Shillabeer joined the health board as Interim Chief Executive in May 2023, during a period of significant organisational challenge.North Wales Chronicle · 13 Nov, 16:15
• Betsi Cadwaladr chief executive to leave post after three yearsMs Shillabeer joined the health board as Interim Chief Executive in May 2023, during a period of significant organisational challenge.North Wales Pioneer · 13 Nov, 16:15

In this story: Carol Shillabeer · Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board · Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust · Dyfed Edwards · North Wales

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