"Firstly, some of you will be aware of the challenges facing adult social care recently. I have been working with the Council's Chief Executive, and we have agreed that securing a full-time Adult Social Care Director would be sensible for the Local Authority to ensure they have the right capacity during this intense period. To facilitate this, I have agreed to temporarily step aside to allow the Council to recruit a full-time interim director.

At the same time, we have agreed that it is the right time to conduct a strategic review of our health and local authority arrangements overall. When I took on the leadership of adult social care and adult community services at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, as well as being Accountable Officer of Wakefield Place, it was to enable us to see healthcare through a different lens, to be able to make joined-up decisions and to truly take an integrated approach during a period of immense change for all healthcare systems nationally. I’m deeply proud of the progress we have made; we are making a tangible difference for local people.

Now that an integrated approach is more embedded into our ways of working, it is the right time to reflect on how we build on this progress, with the review considering what we know works, what we could improve, and how we can secure sustainable arrangements for a future that truly connects to the people we serve.

From a personal point of view, wearing three professional hats has not been without its challenges, so I thank colleagues for all the support I have received.

Whilst the review is underway, I will continue to fulfil my responsibilities as the Accountable Officer of Wakefield Place and maintain my connection to Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. 

Jo and Ann"