A Board Secretary with extensive experience in healthcare governance has been appointed to the new Special Health Authority - Digital Health and Care Wales, which launches on 1 April 2021, replacing the NHS Wales Informatics Service.
Chris Darling joins the new organisation from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, where he is currently Assistant Director of Corporate Business and Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive. Key responsibilities in this role include leading on the Health Board’s response to its escalation status (Special Measures for Maternity Services and Targeted Intervention for Quality and Governance) and the Cwm Taf Morgannwg improvement framework for Quality and Governance.
Previously Chris spent 10 years at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board where he was involved in strategic planning and management of the Integrating Health and Social Care Programme.
Chris began is his career as an auditor in a Chartered Accountancy firm, undertaking consultancy assignments, mainly involving public sector organisations, joining the NHS in the Southampton area in 2004, before moving to Wales in 2007.
Commenting on his appointment, Chris said: “I am excited to be joining at the outset of the new organisation. I am passionate about corporate governance, and believe good governance provides the foundation for organisational high performance, as well as increased stakeholder trust and confidence.”
Chris is the second appointment to the new organisation and takes up his role in February, joining interim Chair Bob Hudson.
Bob Hudson said: “I am very pleased that Chris is to join Digital Health and Care Wales, he brings with him a valuable combination of skills and knowledge that will be fundamental to both establish and take forward the strategic work of our new Board.”
First published: 06/01/21