Date published: 20 September 2022
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is delighted Rosie Cooper MP has agreed to become its new chairman in succession to Beatrice Fraenkel, whose term ends on 31 October 2022.
The Trust’s Council of Governors approved her appointment at its meeting on 6 September 2022 after the MP for West Lancashire emerged as the preferred candidate from a robust recruitment process, which involved her presenting to service users and carers, staff and other stakeholders.
Her appointment will be ratified once she has gone through a fit and proper person test and a range of other employment checks in line with the requirements of the NHS check standards.
Rosie Cooper MP said: “It’s no secret the NHS is facing challenging times and, as someone who has campaigned for health equality all my life, I look forward to helping drive Mersey Care to the highest standards of care for all its patients, service users and carers across Cheshire and Merseyside.
“I hope my experience across many areas of the health sector can help make a real difference to all of Mersey Care’s population, which includes some of the most vulnerable members of our society. There has been a rapid growth in demand for both mental health and community services in recent years and I look forward to working with the Trust to meet those challenges.”
Rosie Cooper has a wealth of experience in the health sector and the NHS for the past 30 years, including being the driving force behind two independent enquiries into the culture and care at the former Liverpool Community Health Trust, she is a former Vice-Chair of Liverpool Health Authority and Chair of Liverpool Women’s Hospital and is an active member of the Health Select Committee.
Mersey Care Chief Executive Joe Rafferty CBE said: “Rosie has been a consistent and well regarded campaigner on health issues for many years and we’re delighted she’s taken up the opportunity to lead our Trust into its next chapter and all the challenges that will encompass.
“I know all her constituents in West Lancashire will testify to the support and determination she employed to raise issues on their behalf and we look forward to her approaching this new role with a similar drive, energy and enthusiasm.”
Once Rosie’s checks are complete she will be appointed as Mersey Care’s chair designate and will then succeed Mrs Fraenkel as chairman once her term is complete.