The Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) has confirmed the appointment of Caroline Rassell as the Lead Accountable Officer for the Joint Committee and Senior Responsible Officer for Local Health and Care.

Caroline will be in post with immediate effect, on an 18 month secondment basis.

Her role will be to oversee the developments of hospital services across mid and south Essex.

Caroline is currently Accountable Officer for Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (MECCG) and will continue in this role alongside the secondment.

The CCG Joint Committee is made up of the GP Chairs and Accountable Officers from each of the five Clinical Commissioning Groups in the STP area – namely Southend; Castle Point and Rochford; Basildon and Brentwood; Thurrock; and Mid Essex.

The Joint Committee will act collectively in the planning, securing and monitoring of health services for 1.2 million people living in mid and south Essex.

Specifically, the Joint Committee will commission and manage the contracts for acute services (NHS and independent sector), NHS 111 and Out of Hours services, ambulance services, patient transport and acute mental health services.

All other decisions about healthcare will continue be taken locally by individual CCGs.

Dr Mike Bewick, Chair of Mid and South Essex STP, said: “I am really looking forward to working alongside Caroline and all joint committee members to drive forwards innovation and ensure we provide the best health and care possible for local people.”

On her appointment, Caroline said: “It’s a privilege to take on this new role with the many opportunities and challenges it will bring as we endeavour to shape the best health and care services for the future.

“I look forward to the positive conversations within the Joint Committee and with local people and the many other organisations involved in helping to support the NHS to create sustainable and great care.”

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