NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Andy Seymour as their new Clinical Chair from 1 May following a recruitment process.

Andy is a partner at Heathville Medical Practice in Gloucester and has been for over 23 years. He is also current Deputy Chair of the CCG and has substantial experience as a clinical leader.

As well as his role in leading a number of clinical programmes for the CCG, he is a former Chairman of the LMC in Gloucestershire and a former lead forensic medical examiner for the county.

Clinical Chair designate of NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Andy Seymour said:

“This is a challenging time for the whole health and social care community. We recognise that we need to place greater emphasis on prevention, make the most of the Gloucestershire pound and ensure that services and community support are organised in a way that can respond to a growing population with more complex needs.

We are fortunate in Gloucestershire to have excellent partnerships in place – at county and locality level. These working relationships are going to be increasingly vital as we seek to develop strong networks of support at community level and access to good quality, joined up care when needed.

At the same time, we cannot ignore the NHS workforce challenge. We need to be doing everything possible at a local level to promote Gloucestershire as a great place to live and work and wherever possible, find local solutions to manage the pressures and the demand on services.”

Andy also paid tribute to his predecessor as Chair, Dr Helen Miller who steps down at the end of April. He said:

“Helen has been a committed Clinical Chair who has left a very positive mark and has contributed much to the organisation’s development and partnership working.

Helen has, and continues to be, a strong advocate for the patient. Her primary interest has always been in how patient care can be improved and I know this will continue to be her main motivation and guiding principle in her work in general practice. ”

Welcoming Andy’s appointment, Accountable Officer, Mary Hutton said:

“Andy has substantial front line experience as a practising GP, but is also a trusted and respected clinical leader, from his previous county roles, within the CCG and across the local health and social care community.

I congratulate Andy on his appointment and look forward to working with him and our health and care partners as we face the challenges and opportunities of the future.”