A MAN with a strong track record in delivering changes to improve health services has been appointed as the chief executive of NHS Forth Valley.

Ross McGuffie, who currently serves as the chief officer of health and social care in North Lanarkshire, will be taking up the post this autumn, taking over from interim chief executive Amanda Croft.

He has extensive experience of planning and managing a wide range of health and social care services with a strong track record of delivering improvements and better outcomes for patients.

Mr McGuffie started his NHS career within health improvement before moving on to become a locality service manager with responsibility for community health services in NHS Lanarkshire.

He later took on the role of head of planning, performance and quality assurance for the North Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership before being appointed as its chief officer in 2018.

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Neena Mahal, interim chair of NHS Forth Valley, said: “Following a rigorous recruitment process, I am delighted that Ross will be joining NHS Forth Valley as our new chief executive and I would like to congratulate him on behalf the board.

“Ross has a proven track record in transforming services and brings extensive skills, knowledge and experience of system leadership to this important role.

“We look forward to Ross joining us to build on the excellent work which is underway in NHS Forth Valley.”

The incoming chief executive has also undertaken a number of key national roles and was recently elected as the chair of Health and Social Care Scotland, a national network of senior leaders aiming to drive forward improvements through increased integration, collaboration and transformation.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining NHS Forth Valley as its new chief executive and I’m very much looking forward to meeting with local staff, colleagues and partners across the health and care system as well as getting to know local communities.

“Although it is a very challenging time for healthcare services across the country, I know a lot of good work is already underway to address these challenges and I’m keen to build on this and identify further opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.”