A NEW Chief Officer has been appointed to lead Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP), as it works to strengthen integration and respond to major system pressures.
Following a formal recruitment process, Gareth Marr has been confirmed in the permanent post – bringing extensive experience across frontline care, regulation and health system leadership.
Having served as Interim Chief Officer, Mr Marr said: “I’m very proud to be taking on this role on a permanent basis.
“The past months have shown me just how committed our staff, partners and communities are to improving outcomes for people across Dumfries and Galloway.
“There are undoubtedly big challenges ahead – rising demand, workforce pressures and difficult financial circumstances – but also huge opportunities to do things differently and make a real difference.
“My focus will remain on strengthening integration, supporting our teams and working collaboratively with communities to deliver care and support that help people to live healthier, fuller and more independent lives.”
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) brings together NHS Dumfries and Galloway and Dumfries and Galloway Council as statutory partners, working under the direction of the Dumfries and Galloway Integration Joint Board (IJB) – the body responsible for planning and overseeing integrated health and adult social care across the region.
As Chief Officer for both the IJB and DGHSCP, Mr Marr plays a key role in leading the delivery of the Board’s strategic direction, working through the combined efforts of the Council and NHS, and in partnership with the third and independent sectors.
Welcoming the appointment, Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council Dawn Roberts said: “Gareth brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges facing health and social care. His leadership and collaborative approach will be vital in driving forward the Partnership’s priorities and supporting communities across the region.”
Julie White, Chief Executive of NHS Dumfries and Galloway, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Gareth to the post on a permanent basis. He has shown real clarity of vision and a strong focus on joined-up, preventative approaches to care, which is exactly the qualities we need to navigate the complex landscape ahead.”
Mr Marr began his career as a mental health nurse, later moving into regulatory roles with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Care Inspectorate before managing mental health services in Sydney, Australia. More recently, he worked in health transformation and data analytics and as a divisional manager for a mental health service in Wales.
He said: “Every system faces its own pressures, but the challenges are often the same. The key is learning from what works elsewhere and applying that locally.”