THE chief officer for Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (HRW CCG) has stepped down.

Janet Probert has left the post following the appointment of a new accountable officer across the three North Yorkshire CCGs, Amanda Bloor

Ms Bloor, the chief officer of NHS Harrogate and Rural District CCG will now lead a shared leadership team across the three CCGs.

After a long career in the NHS spanning over 35-years, Ms Probert officially stepped-down as Chief Officer of HRW CCG on November 30.

She has lived in Richmondshire for a number of years and prior to the CCG, worked in various senior nursing and executive roles across North Yorkshire.

Having trained as a nurse and midwife in London, she then travelled extensively and worked in Australia and Asia before returning to senior nursing posts initially in London.

Ms Probert has held posts including director of nursing and managing director for community and mental health services.

In 2012 she was awarded the Florence Nightingale Leadership Scholarship for nurses who show top leadership potential.

Speaking about leaving her role with the CCG, Ms Probert said: “It has been a great privilege to be part of such a hardworking and values-based organisation.

"We have achieved a great deal together with increased focus on community services, bringing services closer to home where it is safe to do so, and challenging the system to do things better.

"It hasn't always been easy and we have learned much along the way.

“The CCG has been completely focused on developing and improving care for the people of Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby areas and it will continue to do so. The CCG is a fantastic team of people and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there."

Dr Charles Parker, clinical chair of HRW CCG said: “We’re incredibly sad to say goodbye to Janet as our chief officer.

"On behalf of the Governing Body and CCG staff, I would like to sincerely thank Janet for her tenacity, optimistic attitude and willingness to do the right thing for the patient.

"She has been a pleasure to work alongside and we will miss her kind and inspiring leadership." The new partnership joins CCGs for Hambleton, Richmondshire, Whitby, Harrogate, Ryedale and Scarborough.