In a personal message to staff at the Northern Care Alliance today, the group’s Chairman Professor Michael Luger announced that its Chief Executive Raj Jain is to retire from the NHS at the end of this Summer.
Prof. Luger confirmed that Mr Jain will reach and celebrate his 60th birthday next year and so he and his wife have decided the time is right for them both to retire from their respective roles in the NHS.
Commenting on the announcement, Professor Luger said:
“Raj has informed our Board of his intention to retire at the end of the Summer this year after he oversees the final completion of the PAT Transaction which will see the formal acquisition of Oldham, Bury and Rochdale. This is very much Raj’s personal decision and one that we as colleagues and friends understand and support.
“Raj joined the NHS in 1995 as a deputy director. Since then, he has committed his time and energy in leading innovation and improvements in the NHS organisations he has been involved with, spanning a 26-year NHS career at a senior level.
“Raj has been instrumental in Salford Royal’s success and achievements and, over the past five years, has helped lead improvements across Pennine Acute under the NCA Group.
“Over the last two years leading the NCA as Chief Executive, the organisation has benefitted greatly from Raj’s talent and leadership qualities. He has built a strong Executive team and has not only helped drive forward our group plans and led us through a difficult period in our response to the pandemic, but has continued to focus his attention on progressing a host of important areas and strategic priorities. This has included strengthening our workforce and leadership development, a particular focus on equality and inclusion, further service integration, securing major capital investment for our new site developments at Salford and Oldham, exciting strategic collaboration with partners and digital innovation, as well as strengthening our role within GM and at a national level.
“Under Raj’s leadership, the NCA has continued to progress on our journey of improvement across our Care Organisations and in laying the foundations for our plans for each of our hospital sites and in the development of integrated health and social care services across our localities alongside our commissioners and healthcare partners.
“Our Board will now oversee the recruitment and appointment of a new Chief Executive for the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group.”
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group was created in 2016 and brings together over 20,000 staff and services from across Salford Royal and Pennine Acute NHS Trusts, providing hospital and community healthcare services in Salford, Oldham, Bury and Rochdale.
For more information about the NCA Group visit www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk