NCA Chief Executive recognised in national Top 50 NHS rankings

24 March 2021

CHIEF Executive for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA), Raj Jain, has been listed in the Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) Top 50 NHS Chief Executives of 2021. 

NCA CEO Raj Jain.jpg
Raj Jain, Chief Executive,
Northern Care Alliance NHS Group

Chief Executives listed in the top 50 are all rated by the HSJ’s panel of senior healthcare leaders on their organisation’s performance, leadership style and contribution to the wider health system.

With the support of his Executive Team, over the last year Raj Jain has led the NCA’s 20,000 workforce and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic across its four hospitals and community services in Salford, Oldham, Bury and Rochdale.

In addition, Raj is credited with leading the NCA in overseeing improved health and wellbeing support for staff, improved NHS staff survey results, and promoting and driving forward actions to tackle racism and reduce inequalities, not only in the NCA but as a champion regionally in supporting the North West Black, Asian and Minority Strategic Advisory Group. 

Under Raj’s leadership the NCA, which brings together Salford Royal and Pennine Acute Trust services for Oldham, Bury and Rochdale, has seen significant improvements in standards of care and leadership over the last five years as reflected in the Care Quality Commission (CQCs) inspection reports for both Trusts.

Raj Jain, Chief Executive at the NCA said:

“Having the Northern Care Alliance make it onto this list is a proud achievement and recognition of the fantastic work we are doing here on our journey as a group. This is about what our organisation stands for and strives for; saving lives and improving lives. Everyone is playing their part. We are all one NCA Family. We have a great team here and a great team ethos. I am proud to oversee the great work we do to make this organisation successful and such a great place to work, as well as an amazing place to be cared for and supported. Thank you to everyone who is part of that.”

The latest NHS staff survey shows employees across the NCA now feel there is enough staff to do their job properly. They also report feeling satisfied with opportunities for flexible working patterns, and think the organisation is taking positive action on health and wellbeing. NCA staff also feel secure in raising concerns about unsafe clinical practice with more staff feeling that the care of patients and service users is the organisation's top priority.

During the pandemic, Raj has also led in the development and implementation of the group’s new S.C.A.R.F staff support programme. This is a wrap-around programme to support staff in looking after their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and to make it easier for them to find and access the practical resources and information they need. The programme is a core element in the NCA’s People Strategy and recruitment and retention activity.   

During Raj’s tenure, the organisation has also taken significant steps forward in terms of its commitment to integration, equality and inclusion. This month the NCA was highly commended in the national HSJ Awards for its lead in the Greater Manchester Public Sector Race Equality Programme.

This is the HSJ’s seventh ranking of NHS leaders, which is decided by a  judging panel including NHS England Chief Operating Officer Amanda Pritchard, Care Quality Commission Chief Inspector of Hospitals Ted Baker, and Royal College of Physicians President Andrew Goddard.

All 200 NHS Chief Executives were eligible for inclusion in the ranking. The full Top 50 can be viewed here.

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