Julian Hartley, Chief Executive of University Hospital of South Manchester, has been seconded to lead the establishment of a new NHS improvement body starting on 1 October for a 6 month period.

The new NHS Improvement Body will be central to build improvement capability at scale across the NHS to enable delivery of transformational change. The new body will be initially hosted by the NHS Commissioning Board, and will bring together elements of six current  improvement organisations (National Cancer Action Team, National End of Life Care Programme, National Technology Adoption Centre, NHS Diabetes and Kidney Care, NHS Improvement, and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement) whilst establishing a new vision and re-shaping the improvement landscape in health and healthcare .

Jim Easton, National Director for Transformation at the NHS Commissioning Board, said: “I am delighted to welcome Julian to lead and establish the new Improvement Body which constitutes a vital part of the new NHS landscape.

“Julian comes to us with a strong track record of delivery at Chief Executive level in several NHS organisations, most recently at the University Hospital of South Manchester which has delivered a major programme of improvement over the last three years.  Julian’s experience of leading change and improvement will be a major asset in developing the new improvement body”.

Julian said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to establish the new NHS improvement body at a time when a transformational approach to change and improvement is critical to the success of the reformed NHS.  I look forward to working with Jim and the NHS Commissioning Board to ensure the new organisation builds on the work of its predecessor organisations and delivers support and improvement to the wider NHS.