Teresa Cope is due to take up the role of interim chief officer for Health & Social Care next month.
The appointment is part of Mr Smillie’s move to adapt the civil service’s senior leadership structure to re-introduce chief officers aligned to principal committees with the aim of improving accountability.
Ms Cope was the first CEO of the Isle of Man’s healthcare provider Manx Care, which was set up in 2021.
It was established as an arm’s length body responsible for delivering health and social care services on behalf of the island’s government, but separate from the policy and strategy role of the Department of Health and Social Care.
Her departure from the job was announced in May, when she was thanked for her hard work, dedication and commitment in helping establish the Manx Care service.
However, it was also reported that the service had faced challenges in meeting budget targets each year and an independent review carried out last year found ‘fundamental issues’, including a lack of operational accountability, blurred strategic roles, and fragmented financial planning between the DHSC and Manx Care.
Since its inception in 2021 Manx Care has ended every year in deficit. This year it is expected to lose more than £8m., taking the cumulative overspend to close to £73m.
Speaking about the report in the island’s parliament, former Health Minister Rob Callister referred to ‘warning signs’ about the governance model. He highlighted a review which pointed to ‘several structural weaknesses’ at Manx Care, including that its board was too operational.
It found that its committees met more frequently than best practice and were not always aligned with long-term priorities. The review also highlighted that the board’s size and inconsistent engagement hinder effective assurance and contribute to unclear accountability and duplication across the system.
However Mr Smillie said that Ms Cope was the clear favourite from a strong field of applicants.
‘She brings significant experience and understands the realities of delivering services in an island community. I’m confident she will provide the leadership the organisation needs while offering strong support to the Committee for Health & Social Care,’ he said.
He said it was not unusual for there to be differing views about people in senior leadership positions in the public service, particularly in a small island community.
‘I am entirely satisfied with the recruitment process and the due diligence that was undertaken,’ he said.
‘I would ask our community to give Teresa the opportunity to demonstrate her leadership. Leading a public health service is undoubtedly one of the most demanding roles in the public sector, and I know Teresa will approach it with commitment and professionalism. She has my full support.’
Mr Smillie explained that the appointment had been made on an ‘interim’ basis to enable a quicker appointment, bringing in the senior capacity and expertise needed to address the significant challenges facing HSC, ‘while strengthening leadership during a period of wider organisational change, and separately the departure of other senior leaders’.
‘Health & Social Care has more than 2,000 staff and a budget of some £260m. I cannot overstate how important it is that HSC has clear, experienced and accountable executive leadership for an organisation of this scale and complexity.’
Ms Cope said she was excited to work for the States of Guernsey.
‘I am keen to get started, to listen and learn, and to help provide strong and stable leadership during this important period,’ she said.