Health and social care organisation Livewell Southwest has appointed Sarah Brampton as its new chief executive.
Ms Brampton joins the community interest company (CIC) , which cares for people in Plymouth and surrounding areas of Devon, from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust where she has been deputy chief executive and chief finance officer.
She replaces Michelle Thomas who has retired after five years in the top job, including one as acting chief executive.
Livewell said Ms Brampton was appointed following a “comprehensive and robust recruitment process”. It advertised the role as paying between £149,529 and £207,027.
Ms Brampton has more than 30 years of healthcare experience working across the NHS in acute, mental health and commissioning.
She graduated in law and worked in the legal profession before joining the NHS through the management training scheme.
Ms Brampton said: “I am honoured to have been offered the opportunity to become the next chief executive of Livewell Southwest.
“The organisation has an outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality care and support, and I am excited by the opportunity to work with colleagues, partners and local communities to build on that success and lead the organisation through the next phase of its development.”
Dr Karen Cook, chair of Livewell Southwest, said “I am delighted that Sarah has accepted the board’s offer to become our next chief executive.
“Sarah brings significant NHS leadership experience, a strong track record of delivering improvement and a clear commitment to the values that underpin Livewell Southwest.
“The selection panel was particularly impressed by her vision for the future of community, mental health and social care services and her commitment to fostering strong relationships across the health and care system to improve outcomes for the people we serve.
“I would also like to place on record my sincere thanks to Michelle Thomas for her outstanding leadership and commitment to Livewell Southwest. She has made a lasting contribution to the organisation and has helped shape a strong foundation for the future.”
Michelle Thomas, who has retired as chief executive of Livewell Southwest(Image: Livewell Southwest)
Ms Thomas started her career as a student nurse in Plymouth 40 years ago and described becoming chief executive of Livewell as “the greatest privilege of my career”.
Meanwhile, Geoff Baines, currently deputy chief executive and director of transformation, will step into the role of chief executive (interim) from October 19 whilst a start date for Ms Brampton is confirmed.
Livewell Southwest describes itself as “one of the country’s leading integrated health and social care CICs”.
It provides integrated health and social care services across South Hams, West Devon and Plymouth, with additional responsibilities for delivering specialist services to people living in certain parts of Cornwall and Devon.
It was founded in 2011 as a “pioneering, independent community interest company”, a not-for-profit organisation which re-invests revenue into the services it provides, and the communities it serves.
Livewell Southwest is not a formal part of the NHS, but works alongside NHS hospitals and services to deliver expert care to a range of communities.
Services include: community nursing; services for people with learning disabilities; physiotherapy; community mental health services; social work; wellbeing and health improvement services; services for children and young people and community pharmacies.
It provides these services either within a person’s home, or from one of 12 locations across the South West.
Livewell Southwest is an employee-led organisation, and the largest community health and social care enterprise in the UK. It employs more than 3,000 staff.
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