WIRRAL Clinical Commissioning Group has appointed a new accountable officer following a critical review into its leadership and performance.

Jon Develing is currently regional director of operations and delivery at NHS England North, but will join Wirral in May after working with the organisation last year.

He supported Wirral CCG between May and December 2014 as interim accountable officer.
Under his leadership, the recommendations of an NHS England review of the CCG were put in place and a new management an doperational structure for the organisation was approved. 

The “Capability and Governance Review” came after Birkenhead MP Frank Field wrote to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt criticising the relationship between “senior members” of the organisation and Wirral Hospital Trust, calling for an inquiry.

Mr Field questioned the “strong bond” between the two organisations and claimed relationships between the two may have dented the “independence and integrity” of local health services.

Mr Develing, who lives in Wirral with his wife and three children, began his NHS career in 1980 and has a clinical background in both general and psychiatric nursing before moving into health management.

Dr Pete Naylor, recently elected chair of Wirral CCG and Wallasey GP said: “We are really pleased that Jon is joining us permanently. 

"Jon was a tremendous support to Wirral CCG as Interim Accountable Officer during 2014, putting in place the building blocks of a vibrant and successful organisation serving the health needs of the people of Wirral. 

“The fact that Jon sought to return to Wirral to lead the CCG on a permanent basis means he can build on the work he started.  We will now continue our journey to become a first rate organisation, putting Wirral residents at the heart of commissioning the highest quality health services.”

Mr Develing added: “I am truly delighted to be returning to the CCG.  I was pleased to start making a difference at the CCG during 2014 and it gives me tremendous personal satisfaction that I can now return to give a long-term focus to continuing that work and making the CCG a high performing commissioning organisation."

He will take over from John Wicks, who has been acting as interim accountable officer since December 2014.

Clinical Commissioning Groups are groups of General Practices that work together to plan and design local health services in England.

They do this by "commissioning" or buying health and care services including:

  • Planned hospital care
  • Urgent and emergency care
  • Rehabilitation care
  • Community health services
  • Mental health and learning disability services