Former NHS England Leader Appointed Interim Permanent Secretary of Department Of Health

Mike Farrar, 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.

Mr. Farrar will succeed Peter May, who is retiring from the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) after a distinguished career.

Mr. Farrar has held several senior leadership positions within the NHS in England, including Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and Head of Primary Care at the Department of Health in London. He has also served as Chief Executive of Health Authorities in North West England and Yorkshire and Tees.

In recent years, Mr. Farrar has worked as a management consultant specialising in healthcare, providing expertise to organisations across the globe, including in the Middle East, Japan, Russia, the US, Spain, and Australia.

"Peter May has made an outstanding contribution to the NICS over many years," said Jayne Brady, Head of the NICS. "Having dedicated his career to public service, he has undoubtedly made a positive difference, not only to the organisation, but to our society."

"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," added Ms. Brady. "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."

Health Minister Approves Full Payment of 2024/25 Pay Deals For HSC Staff

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has approved the full payment of the 2024/25 pay deals for Health and Social Care (HSC) staff, including those covered by the Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental pay frameworks.

This decision follows the outcome of the recent January Monitoring exercise and fulfils a commitment made by the Minister to trade unions in December 2024.

"When I met with trades unions on 10th December 2024, I gave them my personal guarantee that I was committed to finding the funding to allow me to meet, in full, the financial consequences of the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies for 2024/25," said Minister Nesbitt.

The approved pay package will ensure pay parity with England for Health and Social Care staff covered by the Agenda for Change framework.

"I acknowledge that it has been a challenging time for HSC staff as my Department has faced strict financial constraints over the last couple of years and I want to thank trades unions for their engagement and collaboration which has helped secure a full pay deal for all HSC staff," Minister Nesbitt added.

Amended pay circulars will be issued immediately to reflect this decision.

Alliance Calls For Action To 'Drive Tourism Into Belfast

We must capitalise on all opportunities to drive tourism into Belfast, Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Eric Hanvey has said following a meeting of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee at Belfast City Council.

Cllr Hanvey continued: "Northern Ireland is full to the brim with potential when it comes to tourism and how we sell ourselves to the rest of the world. We're a destination with a lot on offer, from natural beauty, to sports, to retail, to arts and culture and beyond, and Belfast is its beating heart.

"We're also a small region, and we have prime opportunity to harness the benefits of interconnection between Belfast and significant events happening right across NI. For example, The Open taking place in Portrush this summer, which is coming back here for the first time in 68 years.

"We must capitalise on opportunities such as The Open to drive tourism into the city and boost our local economies right across the board.

"I look forward to hearing further updates on a potential plan around this coming forward to committee and will be taking great interest in any follow-ups that arise."