New Medical Chief appointed at BLMK Integrated Care Board

Dr Andrew Rochford has been appointed Chief Medical Officer for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, replacing Dr Ian Reckless, who has held the position on an interim basis since April this year.

In his new role, Dr Rochford will provide clinical leadership to health and care services in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes and work with partners to shape clinical strategies, improve outcomes and ensure high quality care for people and communities.

Dr Rochford joins the ICB from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, where he worked as a consultant gastroenterologist.  He has previously held senior clinical positions at Barts Health NHS Trust and NHS England.  His work to deliver urgent and emergency care improvements has earned him recognition both in the UK and abroad.

He has a particular interest in service improvement and is Improvement Clinical Director for the Royal College of Physicians, where his portfolio covers a broad range of services including accreditation, audit, patient safety and the Patient Carer Network.

Dr Rochford said:

“I am delighted to join Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board at what is a challenging time for health and care services. I am committed to advancing clinical engagement and working with partners and local people to deliver the best possible outcomes for our communities.”

Felicity Cox, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“This is an important appointment for our system. We need strong clinical leadership in place to help us to transform our services and move us from treatment into prevention – making us better able to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.  I look forward to welcoming Dr Rochford to our team.

“I would also like to record my thanks to Dr Ian Reckless, who has served as Interim Chief Medical Officer for our system since April this year, following the retirement of Dr Sarah Whiteman. Dr Reckless’ work to lead the development of our Health Services Strategy has set a more sustainable course for our system, with the expert voices of our clinicians at its core.”

Dr Reckless will stay on at the ICB to provide a seamless clinical transition until 10 March 2025, when Dr Rochford starts in his new role. He will then return to his substantive post as Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Executive at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.