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The head of a team of five experts recently parachuted in to 'fix' Health in the wake of a damning report has now been asked to take up the top role in the department after the sudden resignation of its Chief Officer.
A health professional with more than 35 years’ experience in senior board-level leadership roles, Chris Bown will officially become Chief Officer of Health and Community services on 1 April on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
It comes just three months after he was announced as the leader of a 'Change Team' recruited to drive improvements in Health at a cost of £200,000 per quarter.
He takes over from Caroline Landon, whose shock decision to step down on 31 March alongside Chief Nurse Rose Naylor - whose replacement is yet to be selected - was announced earlier this month. No reasons have been provided for their departure.
Pictured: Chris Bown is a health professional with more than 35 years’ experience, including 20 years as CEO of healthcare providers in the UK along with advisory assignments in the UK and the Caribbean.
Mr Bown's 'Change Team' was brought in following a report by Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor which found serious issues with governance at the Hospital and raised major concerns over the management and working culture within the Health Department.
The problems were later backed up by a second report by the Comptroller and Auditor General which described poor relations between clinicians and senior management.
When the five-strong panel was announced in January, Health Minister Deputy Karen Wilson confirmed that they would be tasked with enacting a "multifaceted change programme which addresses the deep-rooted cultural issues and ensures the provision of high-quality, safe, patient-centred care".
Pictured: A report by Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor found serious issues with governance at the Hospital and the Health Department.
The government did not provide details of the process to recruit Mr Bown as his appointment was confirmed this afternoon - Express has asked for these and has not yet received a reply - but it did confirm that the recruitment process to replace him as lead of the Change Team will begin immediately.
Mr Bown's new salary has not been shared - though his predecessor's total annual remuneration package sat around £200,000.
It also confirmed that the States Employment Board has also agreed for the recruitment process to begin for an interim Chief Nurse following the resignation of Chief Nurse Rose Naylor who is also due to leave her role on Friday. Express has asked who will be acting Chief Nurse in the interim.
Health Minister Deputy Karen Wilson said: "I welcome Chris Bown to the department as the temporary Chief Officer. Chris will now work with myself and officers to continue the programme of work already underway to improve care and services for patients and to lead a talented and much valued workforce.
"I would encourage senior nurse leaders in the island to consider the position of interim Chief Nurse as it offers a wonderful opportunity for development and the chance to bring their skills and talent to the role."
Pictured: Chief Nurse Rose Naylor and Chief Officer of Health and Community Services Caroline Landon are both due to finish their roles this week.
Mr Bown said: “I’m pleased that I have the opportunity to effect the important changes needed to ensure the people of Jersey experience the very best in healthcare. Since I started in Jersey at the beginning of the year I have been impressed with the commitment and dedication of all staff that I have met.
"There is clearly a significant opportunity to bring about positive change in HCS and I look forward to working with staff, islanders, and politicians to bring about these improvements.”
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