Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS appoint new Chief Executive

CHESHiRE and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) has appointed Tim Welch as its new Chief Executive. Tim has 29 years of experience in the NHS, 19 of them as a director and is currently the Trust’s deputy chief executive and director of business and value. He will assume the role following the retirement of Sheena Cumiskey on 18 May 2022, who is stepping down after serving as chief executive for 12 years.

Speaking about his appointment, Tim said:- "I’m thrilled and humbled to be appointed as CWP’s new chief executive.  I care deeply about CWP, both the people who work here, the people we serve, and it is the best organisation I have worked for. I’m motivated by how I can help everyone do the best they can in caring for the people who need our support. CWP’s vision and values are fantastic. I believe in our work on improving the lives of everyone in our community; a genuine commitment to put patients at the heart of everything we do and working collaboratively to get the best for them. The last 2 years have been challenging for all of us in different ways due to the Pandemic. However, nothing has been more important, nor rewarding than recently listening and talking to people as part of our engagement programme, ‘Imagining the Future’ to set the strategic direction for the Trust moving forwards. I’m looking forward to spending lots more time with colleagues, partners, service users and people in our communities in the months ahead. The skills and spirit shown by everyone is really inspiring and I’m excited to lead this work as part of a talented and dedicated team."

Lancashire born, Tim attended the University of Liverpool to study biochemistry and eventually took a route into accounting, starting his career as a graduate within financial management in Norwich Health Authority. He found his way back to Lancashire as deputy chief executive and director of finance at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, before joining CWP in 2013.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, Tim has worked collaboratively with partner organisations to get the best answers for the people CWP cares for. Tim is the Digital lead for CWP and has led various workstreams across the Cheshire and Merseyside finance community.

Isla Wilson, CWP chair, said:- "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Welch as our new chief executive. Tim is hugely respected both within CWP and across the Cheshire and Merseyside footprint. Since joining CWP at the beginning of the year, I’ve been inspired by Tim’s values of care and co-production. He shows huge ambition for CWP and the people we serve. He brings to the role a deep understanding of our focus and priorities and I’m really looking forward to working more closely together over the years to come. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Sheena Cumiskey, who retires next month after 12 years as chief executive. Under Sheena’s leadership, CWP has gone from strength to strength and is the only North West mental health and community trust rated as ‘Outstanding for Caring’ by the Care Quality Commission."

On track for savings with over 1 million ½ price rail tickets in 1st ever:- 'Great British Rail Sale'

OVER 1 million rail tickets will be slashed by up to 50% as the Government and rail industry launch the 1st of its kind Great British Rail Sale. The public is encouraged to take advantage of this unprecedented sale, which sees for the 1st time multiple operators come together to offer nationwide savings. Cutting the cost of rail travel will help ease some of the pressure on family finances at a time when inflation is rising around the world. It will also encourage people to visit different places, connect with friends and loved ones, and get out and about around the country.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:- "For the 1st time ever, operators across the rail industry are coming together to help passengers facing rising costs of living by offering up to 50% off more than a million tickets on journeys across Britain. There’s no better time to visit friends, family or just explore our great country, so book your tickets today."

Jacqueline Starr, CEO of the Rail Delivery Group, said:- "We want everyone to be able to benefit from travelling by train because it’s more than just a journey, it’s a way to connect everyone to the people, places and things they love. As part of the Great British Rail Sale customers will enjoy over 1 million discounted tickets, so they can explore some of the fantastic locations that are accessible by rail."

Savings on offer for off peak tickets include:-

► York to Leeds: was ₤5.60, NOW ₤2.80.

► London to Edinburgh: was ₤44, NOW ₤22.

► London to Cardiff: was ₤47, NOW ₤25.

► Wolverhampton to Liverpool: was ₤10.50, NOW ₤5.25.

► Manchester to Newcastle: was ₤20.60, NOW ₤10.30.

► Birmingham New Street to Bristol Temple Meads: was ₤25.30, NOW ₤12.60.

► Portsmouth Harbour to Penzance was ₤45.70, NOW ₤22.00.

Tickets can be purchased online from participating retailers with the up to ½ price rate applying to a huge range of off peak tickets spreading the length and breadth of the country. Tickets are now on sale, with discounted tickets available on journeys from:- 25 April to 27 May 2022. The Government is listening to people’s concerns about rising costs, and is taking action worth more than ₤22 billion in 2022 to 2023 alone; which includes support with the cost of energy bills and to help to ensure people keep more of their money. Offering ½ price rail tickets is 1 of the ways the Government is further supporting families with the cost of living. Reforms to the rail sector through the Williams Shapps Plan for Rail mean that network-wide sales of tickets can occur more easily in the future.