THE chief nurse at NHS St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has been appointed as the crisis-hit organisation's interim clinical chief executive - and a new recovery director role has been created.

Following the recent announcement regarding Professor Steve Cox stepping down from the post in the wake a £12.5 million financial deficit, professor Sarah O'Brien has been selected to step into the vacant post.

And, as part of plans to closer integrate the areas of health and council services, Mike Wyatt, strategic director of people's services at St Helens Council, has been appointed as interim recovery director for the group.

Sarah said: "I am delighted that I have been asked to take on the role of interim clinical chief executive and look forward to taking on this challenge and leading the CCG through its financial challenges ahead."

The CCG worked closely with St Helens Council and NHS England to recruit Professor O'Brien.

Mike, who will continue in his council post as well as taking up the new responsibility, said: "Through the strong partnerships that already exist in the borough, I am confident that there is a real opportunity to work together to improve people's lives by tackling challenges of cost and demand. I look forward to playing a part in this."

Geoffrey Appleton, lay chair at the CCG, said: "The two new appointments made by the CCG truly show that the CCG and local authority are working collaboratively to ensure the borough of St Helens receives the best possible health and social care services.

"The CCG is facing some serious challenges, not least in our financial recovery and being under directions from NHS England.

"I am confident that Sarah has the determination and the skills to lead us effectively and to work collaboratively with our member GP practices, our local authority partners, as well as providers in primary and secondary care, in creating the St Helens integrated care system."

The CCG came under fire recently when it announced controversial plans to suspend some services in the face of the enormous funding crisis.

The group, which was labelled as 'inadequate' following a year-end assessment by NHS England, backtracked on some of these plans, but a public consultation on the remaining proposals remains open until October 5, 2016.

To have a say, go to surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZZ7G5ZV. For a paper version, email engagement@sthelensccg.nhs.uk.