Health and care integration in Lancashire and South Cumbria took a step forward this week with the appointment of four new directors of health and care integration responsible for improving the health and wellbeing of residents in the region.

Claire Richardson takes on the role in Blackburn with Darwen, having spent much of her career in the area before taking up her current position as director of strategic commissioning and adult social services at Rochdale Borough Council, while Karen Smith will be interim director for Blackpool, continuing her role as director of adult social services at Blackpool Council, pending confirmation by the chief officer committee.

Jane Scattergood, who led the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria, takes up the position for South Cumbria, while Louise Taylor joins as the director for Lancashire from Lancashire County Council, where in this collaborative role she will continue as executive director of adult services, health and wellbeing.

It follows the decision made at the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) board meeting last week to approve the proposal to align place-based partnerships with local authority footprints.

The new Directors were appointed by the Board and Executive Team of NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, in collaboration with the four upper-tier local authorities; Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cumbria and Lancashire

Kevin Lavery, chief executive for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “I am excited to welcome Karen, Claire, Jane and Louise into these exciting new roles which are fundamental to the deeper integration of health and care.

“These roles have been put in place through collaboration with local authority partners and provide a real opportunity to make a significant difference to improving the health and wellbeing of our population working in our local areas of Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cumbria and Lancashire.”

A place-based partnership is a collaboration of planners and providers across health, local authority and the wider community, who take collective responsibility for improving the health and wellbeing of residents within a place. You can read more about place-based partnerships here.