Health chief to retire after four decades
A BIRMINGHAM health chief is to retire from the NHS after more than 40 years service.
Paul Jennings, chief executive of NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has decided to step down.
He was due to retire last year, but stayed on to help in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The born and bred Brummie said: “It’s been a real privilege to work in what I believe is the cornerstone of moral values across this country, and one of its biggest triumphs: our NHS.
“But I have been especially honoured to work as the CCG’s chief executive for the last four years.
“I have met some wonderful people and have seen first-hand the commitment and passion our clinical and non-clinical staff alike have for providing the very best care for our patients and communities no matter what challenges might face us.
“I have been a chief officer for 23 years and have worked for the NHS for 43, and I look back on my career with immense gratitude.
“The great work taking place across Birmingham and Solihull, and that of the wider NHS, will continue and I will keep doing whatever I can to support it.
“I thank my colleagues for allowing me to work alongside them, especially over the last year, and for everything they have done and will continue to do.
“The next few months and years promise to be an exciting time for the NHS, especially in Birmingham and Solihull, and
I’m looking forward to supporting the transition to the ICS until I leave in September.”
Mr Jennings started out as a volunteer before securing his first NHS job as a holiday relief orderly for a psychiatric unit before progressing through the ranks.
Dr Will Taylor, clinical chairman of NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG, said: “He is an incredibly popular leader who can easily inspire and motivate colleagues, and he will be a great loss to the CCG, as well as the Birmingham and Solihull health and care system.
“He has led us through an unprecedented period, but as we begin to look ahead to the future, I am excited to be able to support colleagues to build on Paul’s work and honour the legacy he is leaving behind.”