Dr Adam Morris has taken up the role of Chief Executive at Livewell Southwest, the Plymouth health and adult social care provider, with a pledge to build on the improvements to the care and support of the local population.
His appointment follows the retirement of Professor Steve Waite who held the post since the organisation was formed in 2012 and who saw the community interest company take over provision of adult social care in Plymouth as well as all its health services.
Adam joined Livewell Southwest two years ago as Medical Director, moving from Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust. He came to live in Devon in 2004 to become a GP partner in Dartmouth, a role he continued until last month.
He said: “It’s a privilege to be chosen to lead 3,000 fantastic staff delivering more than 70 services. I look forward to ensuring we hold true to our values and beliefs, supporting those we care for and delivering excellence.
“The coming months will be exciting but challenging as we work with our key partners in the health and adult social care sector along with community and voluntary organisations and all others who help to make Plymouth a great place in which to work and live.
“Livewell is already rated ‘Good’ by CQC inspectors, with the Glebourne acute mental health unit and learning disabilities support judged to be ‘Outstanding’.
“I want us to build on that, with a focus on ensuring that people of all ages in all areas have access to the best care in the right place and at the right time, eliminating inequalities caused by social circumstances and giving equal priority to mental and physical wellbeing.
“The needs of our population are changing and the way we provide care and support has to change too, with Livewell and other health providers joining up health and care services more effectively with the individual at the centre, and a focus on prevention and supporting people to make healthy choices.”
Duncan Currall, chair of Livewell Southwest, said: “I am delighted to welcome Adam to his new role and very much look forward to working with him and developing our services to support the communities in which we work.
“Adam has worked closely with Steve Waite over recent weeks to ensure we continue to build on the remarkable successes and achievements of the organisation to date.
“Steve was an inspiring leader – caring, compassionate and determined, and supportive of all his colleagues at Livewell. These qualities are now in the DNA of the organisation, which has a real can-do attitude and a determination to put the patient first.
“We are very fortunate to have Adam as Steve’s successor as we enter the next phase, ensuring that we continue to play a pivotal and central role delivering the best standards of care for all the people we serve.”
