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Jim Mackey, Chief Executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed as the Chief Executive of NHS Improvement.

NHS Improvement was created earlier this year to be the health sector regulator and to support urgent improvements at the frontline and the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.

Speaking of his move Jim Mackey said:

This is without doubt a difficult time for the NHS. We collectively need to improve NHS services for patients and the local communities we serve, alongside being more efficient and effective in our use of the NHS pound.

The gap between the quality of care provided within the NHS must be reduced, and our grip on managing our business and finance must be improved. This will be my priority and focus for the coming years ahead and I look forward to working with health partners across the NHS and social care to support a more sustainable and integrated service for patients.

Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said:

Jim Mackey will bring a wealth of experience to NHS Improvement and ensure that patient safety and higher quality care are embedded at the heart of all NHS organisations.

He will continue the work to align Monitor and the Trust Development Authority and ensure that all providers are supported to provide excellent care every day of the week.

Jim Mackey will start to bring together expert teams to deliver all of NHS Improvement’s responsibilities. He will be in post full time from 1 November 2015.