New boss for Lancashire's Mental Health Trust - this is what he has to say
“I know first-hand the difference that compassionate, evidence-based, high-quality care can make to people's lives.”
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) has a new Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the most senior role in the organisation.
From today, Dr Gareth Thomas takes up the position after recently serving as the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive.
Who is Dr Gareth Thomas?
Gareth has dedicated his career to serving the people of Lancashire and South Cumbria since 2006, completing his medical and psychiatry training across the region and Trust.
He became a consultant psychiatrist in older adult services in Lytham in 2014, subsequently progressing into a number of senior clinical and executive leadership roles. A strong patient advocate with 20 years’ NHS service, Gareth is keen to ensure that they remain at the heart of his leadership, care delivery and decision-making.
Gareth said: “Having spent all of my career working directly with patients, families and colleagues across our services, I know first-hand the difference that compassionate, evidence-based, high-quality care can make to people's lives.
"It has been a privilege to serve the people of Lancashire and South Cumbria for two decades. My focus, and one I will champion across the Trust, is to create the conditions for colleagues to deliver safe, person-centred care that is clinically led which will deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients, families/carers and communities."
He added: “It's an exciting time for LSCFT as we continue on our improvement journey working alongside our wider health and care partners within Lancashire and South Cumbria.”
Dr Gareth Thomas will remain as Interim CEO until a formal permanent appointment is made into the Chief Executive Officer role in due course.
To support Gareth's interim move from Chief Medical Officer, there will be other changes to the Executive Team including Dr Dushyanthan Mahadevan, consultant in child and adolescent psychiatry, becoming Interim Chief Medical Officer at the Trust.