County health boss to retire in the New Year

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Monday, 1 October 2018 16:03

By Emily Lloyd - Local Democracy Reporter

The chief officer of Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has announced his retirement.

Dr Simon Freeman, accountable officer, will officially leave on March 31, 2019 following a six-month notice period.

He joined the CCG on a 12-month secondment and has been at the helm for more than two years.

He said: “Initially I came to the CCG on a 12 month secondment, but I have stayed on past my planned retirement to establish a new management team at the CCG and to help put in place plans for the transformation of the local health system.

“It is a personal decision to take retirement and I will be working a full six month notice period through to the end of March 2019.”

During his time as accountable officer, Dr Freeman has helped to lead the Future Fit plans to redesign emergency care across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

It is expected to be signed off in the New Year.

Dr Julian Povey, clinical chairman of Shropshire CCG, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the work Simon has done steering the CCG through a financially challenging period and laying the foundations on which we can continue to build our services for local people.

“I always knew it was Simon’s intention to retire and he leaves a lasting legacy in his dedication and work to help secure the largest investment in the history of Shropshire’s NHS with £312m for Future Fit.”

Simon first joined the NHS in 2003 after a career in Financial Services and Management Consulting.

He has held a number of director roles in both commissioning and provider Trusts and has also served as the accountable officer for NHS Leicester City CCG and was the chief operating Officer for Arden & GEM Commissioning Support Unit (CSU) before he joined NHS Shropshire CCG.