Director departs from Commissioning Board

The National Director for Commissioning Support on the NHS Commissioning Board is leaving his position to run Mersey Care Trust.

Joe Rafferty (pictured), who will replace Alan Yates as the Chief Executive at the mental health trust, will quit his role at the Commissioning Board before the end of August.

Beatrice Fraenkel, Chair, Mersey Care Trust, said Mr Rafferty is “very well equipped to take the trust forward” and that he “understands and shares” the values of the Trust.

Mr Rafferty, who transformed the fortunes of NHS Central Lancashire during his time as Chief Executive from 2007 to 2012, said he was looking forward to working with his new colleagues and building on the Trust’s “very good reputation”.

It’s believed the Commissioning Board will create two senior commissioning support development posts in the absence of a national director.