Hospital boss defends director appointment

The chief executive of a Batley-based healthcare company is joining the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust part-time.
NEW ROLE Robert Flack is joining the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust as a director.NEW ROLE Robert Flack is joining the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust as a director.
NEW ROLE Robert Flack is joining the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust as a director.

Locala boss Robert Flack has been seconded to the Trust as a director with responsibility for overseeing its community health services in Wakefield.

He will also draw up plans to improve quality and performance of community services across Wakefield and North Kirklees to support planned hospital service changes.

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Mr Flack said: “All the partners agree that working together is the only way to bring about the changes that are needed to meet the care needs of local people now and in the future.

“The organisations involved are motivated by a strong desire to improve care.”

Mid Yorkshire chief executive Stephen Eames said Mr Flack would bring a “wealth of expertise” to the role.

Locala, a community interest company, is the main provider of NHS community services in Kirklees.

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Critics have voiced concerns that Mr Flack’s appointment could create a conflict of interest since he will be working for both organisations.

But Mr Eames said: “I think it’s the reverse. We’re using the skills and expertise of Locala to strengthen our community services across the Trust.

“We’ve appointed Robert as an individual, rather than as Locala.

“If, for example, we were to tender our community services in Wakefield it would have to go through a full and proper process.”

Mr Flack will take up his post at the Trust from April 1.