New Officer Claire Rae Joins North Lanarkshire Health Partnership

University Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire has exciting news to share! Claire Rae has officially been appointed as the new chief officer, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. Claire is set to start her new position on Tuesday 1 October, with high expectations for her leadership to enhance the partnership’s community services.

Prior to joining North Lanarkshire, Claire held the position of head of health and social care at South Lanarkshire University Health & Social Care Partnership. Her professional journey also includes serving as NHS Lanarkshire’s head of the Physiotherapy Service and as a physiotherapy manager at University Wishaw Hospital.

Professor Jann Gardner, chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire, expressed confidence in Claire’s ability to drive positive outcomes in health and social care, stating, “Claire’s extensive experience and dedication to improving health and social care outcomes make her an ideal fit for this role. With her guidance, we expect the partnership to build on its current success in providing high-quality, person-centred care to the communities of North Lanarkshire.”

Des Murray, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, also shared his enthusiasm for Claire’s appointment, highlighting her vision and leadership skills as valuable assets in meeting the region’s evolving health and social care needs. He looks forward to the fresh perspectives and expertise Claire will bring to this crucial role.

Expressing her excitement about the new opportunity, Claire, a North Lanarkshire resident, said, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility and eager to collaborate with our dedicated staff. Together, we will continue to improve and elevate the quality of care and support for our communities across North Lanarkshire.”

Claire emphasised the importance of delivering appropriate care at the right time to help individuals lead healthier lives within their communities. She also took a moment to acknowledge the contributions of outgoing chief officer Ross McGuffie, recognizing his efforts in strengthening integrated services and wishing him success in his new role.

In addition to Claire’s appointment, Nicola Scott has joined the partnership’s strategic leadership team as the new chief finance officer, succeeding Amanda Kilburn in this role.