Chair of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB announces retirement

Prem Singh, Chair of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) has announced his retirement, after 47 years’ service within the NHS and social care.

Prem Singh, Chair of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, said: “After successfully launching the new Integrated Care Board, I am confident that I will be leaving the system in a strong position that will deliver better health and care for local people.

“This has been a joint decision taken with my wife, as we make plans to focus our time and energy on our family and the next chapter of our lives together.

“The scale of the task ahead to embed these new ways of working, whilst also leading the COVID-19 recovery programme, is significant. I believe this requires a three-five year time commitment, which will not be possible with my personal life plans. I feel privileged to have worked with many excellent and dedicated people, over the years, and to have been part of welcoming this new era for health and care services.”

Prem will stay in post until December 2022 to oversee the first critical months of the new organisation, including the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer and the establishment of the new Integrated Care Partnership Committee. In the meantime NHS England, working with local partners, will oversee the recruitment of a new Chair for the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB.

Peter Axon, Interim Chief Executive Officer for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s ICB, said: “I would like to thank Prem for his dedication and care, not just in our system but across his long service in health and social care. Prem will leave a strong legacy behind, and I wish him and his wife a very happy and fulfilling retirement.

“Prem will continue to work with us until December, embedding our new organisation and actively championing our long-term priorities, including reducing inequalities and working towards truly integrated health and care services.”