The Northern Care Alliance’s (NCA) new Chairman has now joined the Trust. Professor Eileen Fairhurst brings a wealth of experience and has previously worked at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, has established Salford Primary Care Trust (PCT), and has chaired NHS Greater Manchester, the largest PCT cluster in England.
Prof Fairhurst said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be joining the NCA today. I live in Greater Manchester (GM) and, having chaired several trusts in the area over the years, I am familiar with GM’s NHS, local government and the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sectors.”
Prof Fairhurst has a national profile for partnership working and the governance of organisations, including regeneration of localities, and has presented and written about this academically.
She has also always ensured that the perspectives of patients and communities contribute to service developments.
Prof Fairhurst said: “NCA’s intention to save lives and improve lives is very close to my heart. I have always believed that healthcare is more than the NHS and collaborative working with a wide range of partners has characterised all my NHS work.”
Her educational achievements are impressive and include being a former Professor in Public Health at the University of Salford. She has an international research profile for developing new domains of study in the sociology of aging and sociology of health and illness.
On joining the Trust Prof Fairhurst said: “I know the past few years have been tough for all colleagues. I have the greatest admiration for, and am humbled by, your unstinting care for patients and the communities we serve.
“Recent national and international events mean that pressures and need for care have not gone away. I am keen to take forward our journey with our partners and continue to save and improve lives for all who live in Salford, Oldham, Bury and Rochdale. I am committed to ensuring that, access to and outcomes from care will not depend on postcode.”
Over the next few months, Prof Fairhurst will be spending time meeting her NCA colleagues and says she is looking forward to meeting as many people as possible.
To read Prof Fairhurst's full biography go to the NCA website here.