New chief appointed to lead Health and Social Care in Wales

Dr Andrew Goodall has been appointed as the Welsh Government’s new Director General for Health and Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales.

Dr Goodall has been employed in the NHS for 23 years and has worked in a number of planning and operational positions across South Wales. He has been an NHS Chief Executive for 9 years, taking up the role in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in June 2009.

As well as local responsibilities, he has led a number of national programmes and initiatives, including regional service changes, effective services for vulnerable people, quality initiatives for the 1000 Lives programme and unscheduled care. Most recently he has supported a Ministerial Review in respect of complaints handling, which is due to report shortly.

In his new role, Dr Goodall will head the Welsh Government’s Department for Health and Social Services, and will be responsible and accountable to the Minister for Health and Social Services and Deputy Minister for Social Services for all health, public health and social care policy in Wales. In addition, he will also serve as Chief Executive of NHS Wales.

Dr Andrew Goodall said: “Having lived and been brought up in Wales, I feel very privileged to have been offered this national post. I have been proud to work for NHS Wales in my career to date and to have been able to lead and support work both for the NHS and across public services.

“I of course understand the pressures and expectations that the NHS faces, but also know that we have the responsibility and opportunity to make the necessary changes, including how we balance delivering our services with focusing on improving the long-term health of the Welsh population. I look forward to working with the Health Boards and Trusts to deliver this important agenda for patients and to lead improvements with the committed staff who work for the NHS and social services.”

Dr Goodall will take up the post in Welsh Government in June.