North East London Integrated Care System (NEL ICS) has appointed a Chief Executive Officer Designate.
Zina Etheridge will lead north-east London’s health and care partnership, working with leaders from acute, community, mental health and ambulance trusts, local government and community and voluntary organisations.
Her appointment follows a comprehensive national recruitment process led by NHS England, which has been taking place within integrated care systems (ICS) across the country over the last few months.
Ms Etheridge joins the North East London Health and Care Partnership (NEL ICS) from the London Borough of Haringey, where she has been Chief Executive since February 2017.
She has previously held senior roles in a number of government departments at a national and regional level.
As well as this, she has also been the Lead Local Authority Chief Executive for the North Central London ICS and, as Chair of London Councils’ Chief Executives Network, she has coordinated many aspects of the local government response to Covid-19 across the capital.
She is due to take up her new role in early 2022.
Commenting, Ms Etheridge said:
“I am really excited to be taking up this role at such a pivotal point. North-east London is an amazing place and I am looking forward to working with partners across the system, including communities, to improve the outcomes for all residents.
“The pandemic has shone a spotlight on the health inequalities suffered by many residents, but the fantastic collaborative working across health, local authority and voluntary and community sector partners over the last 18 months demonstrates the impact we can have when we all work together on a common goal.”
Regional Director of the NHS in London, Sir David Sloman added:
“On behalf of the NHS in London, I would like to personally congratulate Zina Etheridge on her appointment.
"Zina is an experienced leader with an extensive background in partnership working, which is fundamental to joining up health and care services for the benefit of people across the capital.
“I look forward to working with Zina and our other Integrated Care Board CEOs to improve care for Londoners, reduce health inequalities and make rapid progress on the ambitions set out in the London Vision.”
Ms Etheridge’s appointment comes as the NHS, local councils and community groups in north-east London formalise their strong history of partnership working across health and social care.
This partnership, known as an Integrated Care System (ICS), aims to ensure that the local population of more than two million people receive the care they need in an efficient, effective and joined up way.
