Health body names new chiefs

WARRINGTON Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – the new body responsible for health services across the borough – has announced the appointment of three new members to its governing body.
Stephen Sutcliffe has taken on the role of chief finance officer, John Wharton has been appointed as the nursing and quality lead while Dr Stephen Bentley will represent secondary care.
All three new members have joined the board and have begun their role in helping make decisions to improve the quality and standard of health services to the people of Warrington.
Mr Sutcliffe joined the NHS financial management training scheme straight from university. He worked in community services, hospitals and specialist hospitals before moving to Oldham PCT in 2003, where he was promoted to director of finance in 2007.
During his time in Oldham, he led the introduction of the largest health centre replacement in the NHS, led on major service redesign around cancer and children’s services and ensured a strong financial foundation.
He said: “I’m really excited about joining Warrington CCG and building on the excellent foundations whilst bringing my enthusiasm and skills to further enhance the health of Warrington.”
John Wharton has experience working with three of the main health providers in Warrington. He has recently completed his MSc and is a visiting lecturer with Chester University and an honorary lecturer with Liverpool John Moores University.
He said: “I want to work with the CCG to ensure that the people of Warrington receive high standards of healthcare.”
Dr Stephen Bentley spent three years as a lecturer in medicine in Nigeria before being appointed consultant general physician at Warrington Hospital, where he served 30 years in a number of roles including divisional medical director. During that time, he helped establish the current medical specialties and played a lead role in integrating Warrington and Halton physicians into one department on the Warrington site in 2005.
Aside from acute and general medicine, Dr Bentley is accredited in diabetes and has considerable experience in vascular disease and the elderly. He still does locum work at North West hospitals and runs a small GP practice.
He said: “I hope to be able to use my broad clinical experience and local secondary care knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the development of the already successful Warrington CCG team.”
Warrington CCG’s governing body holds monthly public meetings. The next meeting takes place at 1.30pm on Wednesday January 9, at The Gateway, Sankey Street. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The agenda, as well as minutes of previous meetings, is available online at www.warringtonccg.nhs.uk/public-info
Pictured (from the top) Stephen Sutcliffe, John Wharton and Dr Stephen Bentley.