Helen Thomas has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer for the newly rebranded Digital Health and Care Wales.
Helen has been the interim CEO since January 2021, and has now been appointed to the position. She heads the new health authority formed to take forward digital transformation, technology and the data strategy across Wales.
Commenting on the appointment, Helen said: ”I am delighted to be appointed as CEO and feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead a new organisation and a refreshed focus on the delivery of digital healthcare services.
“Now more than ever we have the ability to use digital to transform health and care for the people of Wales. This is a time to build on the rapid adoption of digital services that took place during the pandemic and is a massive opportunity for all of us.
“I am really looking forward to being part of an organisation that can make a significant impact and to do so by working alongside healthcare professionals, technology experts and Welsh people.
Bob Hudson, interim Chair of Digital Health and Care Wales, added: “We are very pleased that Helen Thomas has been appointed as CEO, following a rigorous selection and evaluation process. At such a pivotal time, her experience and commitment will be vital to build on the pace of digital change in health and care powered by the pandemic.
“Digital has been at the heart of the NHS Wales response to COVID-19, delivering new technology that has helped to save lives, and we thank Helen for her leadership and dedication during this period. We now have a tremendous opportunity to move forward and deliver the next generation of digital health and care services for Welsh people.”
Prior to her appointment as interim CEO, Helen Thomas was the Director of Information at the NHS Wales Informatics Service, leading on the development of the new National Data Resource – the NDR. She has also held the role of Assistant Director of Information at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board, with responsibility for providing the information needed to evaluate service delivery and to support service improvement and transformation.
HTN recently welcomed the Digital Health and Care Wales team as part of HTN Now, where we heard a live session on the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board pharmacy system implementation.
We also reported the news last week that Sue Tanka, the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for NHS England and Improvement, has been appointed as the new Chief Nursing Officer for Wales.
