Interim Permanent Secretary for Department of Health announced
Date published:
A former senior leader in the NHS in England will take up the role of interim Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health in April.
Mike Farrar will replace current Permanent Secretary Peter May, who is retiring from the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS).
Mr Farrar’s previous roles in the NHS in England include Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and Head of Primary Care at the Department of Health in London. He has also been Chief Executive of Health Authorities in North West England, Yorkshire and Tees.
In more recent years, he has worked as a management consultant specialising in healthcare. He has worked with Northern Ireland Health Service leaders and has also worked internationally on healthcare in the Middle East, Japan, Russia, US, Spain and Australia.
Thanking the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Head of the NICS Jayne Brady said: “Peter May has made an outstanding contribution to the NICS over many years. Having dedicated his career to public service, he has undoubtedly made a positive difference, not only to the organisation, but to our society.
“Peter has brought a wealth of experience, insight and enthusiasm to his roles across different departments and latterly, as Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health, has shown real leadership in steering Health and Social Care through a very challenging period.”
Commenting on the appointment of Mr Farrar, Jayne Brady said: “Mike Farrar has extensive experience in Health and Social Care leadership roles and I am confident he will be a real asset to the Department of Health as Interim Permanent Secretary.
“We are all aware that the Health and Social Care system is under significant pressure and Mr Farrar will have a key role to play in the reform and transformation of services so that people can access the care they need in a timely way.
“I look forward to working with Mike as he undertakes this important role.”
Notes to editors:
1. In addition to his roles in Health and Social Care, Mr Farrar has worked in the charitable sector and in sport, where he has held a variety of roles including Chair of Swim England and Vice and Interim Chair of Sport England.
2. He was awarded the CBE in 2005 for services to the NHS and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of GPs and the Royal College of Physicians.
3. During the pandemic, Mr Farrar worked pro bono as the Deputy CEO at King’s College Hospital.
4. The specialist appointment is for a fixed term of 12 months, with the potential for extension, and was made in line with Civil Service HR policies and Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland Recruitment Code.
5. The post will be filled permanently through an open recruitment exercise.
6. The remuneration for this interim fixed term role is £188k, comprised of basic salary costs and a fixed, non-pensionable £34k recruitment and retention allowance. The overall remuneration package will be significantly lower than salaries paid to health service leaders in England, Scotland and Wales.