Image source: LinkedIn
Dr Gareth Thomas has been appointed as digital innovation director of the health and care system for Greater Manchester.
He will join in the new year as part of a joint appointment by Health Innovation Manchester, and NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, which said he will lead the city-region’s health and care digital transformation strategy.
This will involve working with partners across all care settings and delivering new tech enabled models of care.
Thomas is currently deputy national chief clinical information officer at NHS England, where he has been involved in national policy, strategy, systems liaison, and workforce development initiatives. He is also a consultant in intensive care medicine and anaesthesia and worked as clinical director at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
Prior to his national role he was the group chief clinical information officer at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.
Prioritising innovations
Thomas commented: “The role of digital innovation director brings the opportunity to work with providers and frontline teams within Greater Manchester, ensuring that funding and innovations are prioritised to bring the greatest impact upon the health, wealth and wellbeing of our 2.8 million citizens.
“In this joint role, and working in collaboration with partners, I will embrace the opportunity to lead closer alignment with local priorities, have direct visibility of delivery and benefits realisation, whilst also supporting regional economic growth.”
Ben Bridgewater, chief executive of Health Innovation Manchester, said: “Gareth’s blend of deep clinical and digital expertise means he will be able to translate clinical problems into digital solutions to drive forward our innovation and digital transformation agenda for the benefit of local people, our health, academic and industry partners and the GM economy. As a member of the executive team at Health Innovation Manchester, Gareth will have a pivotal role in helping GM to realise its full potential.”
