Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) has announced a new Chair of the Board. Simon Jones will join the organisation in October.
Bob Hudson OBE, has been serving as Interim Chair, and his term will end on 30 September.
Simon Jones was previously the Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, and left the charity in June 2021. He has also served as Chair of the Welsh NHS Confederation.
Helen Thomas, CEO of Digital Health and Care Wales, said: “I am delighted by the appointment of Simon Jones as Chair to the board. He joins our organisation at an exciting time as we develop and deliver new and innovative digital solutions that will make a difference to staff, patients, public and service users. His experience and insights will be truly valuable.
“I would also like to thank Bob Hudson, who has been instrumental in establishing DHCW, steering us through the transition of staff and functions from the NHS Wales Informatics Service and establishing the governance framework. I am very grateful to him for stepping into the role of interim chair and laying the foundations.”
Digital Health and Care Wales was first established in 2019, as a special health authority. It replaced the NHS Wales Informatics Service.
Simon Jones said: “It is an honour to join the organisation, which has such a big part to play in the transformation of health and care services. There is an enthusiasm for digital that has strengthened during the pandemic and provides a springboard for new developments and opportunities. I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues in DHCW and the health and care sector to deliver digital services for the frontline and for patients.
“I would like to add my thanks to Bob, who I have known for many years, and I know that he will have done a great job of leading the Board in the early months of DHCW.”