A new director for a key service at NHS trust North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) has officially been appointed.

Saleem Khan has been named the new clinical director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the trust, and said he is "very humbled" to be part of the team as the Women and Children services undergo remodelling and development.

Mr Khan, who is currently working as labour ward lead and interim college tutor at NCIC, started his new job yesterday (November 16), and is looking forward to his time in the role.

“This is an interesting time for the Women and Children Services," he said.

"The services are in the process of remodelling under new leadership, and I feel very humbled to be part of this team.

“We will work as a team and try our best to take the services to the next level.”

And while the new role will bring plenty more responsibility with it, Mr Khan is ready for the challenge.

He said: “It is a very different role to what I was previously doing. It comes with great responsibility, but also with opportunities to bring about changes.

“I believe in teamwork, and if everyone worked as a team with one aim and one vision, then we will be able to take the services to next level.

“One aim, one vision, and together we will be the best service in the region.”

Raj Verma, associate medical director of the Women’s and Children Care Group at NCIC, said: “We would like to pass on our thanks to Mr Ravimohan for his leadership and finishing his term successfully, and welcome Mr Khan in leading the team.

“I am delighted on the appointment of Saleem Khan as Clinical Director of Maternity which is a forward thinking department with a team of dedicated clinicians and midwives who are working in collaboration in the journey of continuous improvement.

“Mr Khan is committed to working towards further improvement in patient experience and support embedding #thencicway in the organisational culture.”

Amanda Kennett, associate director of Midwifery and Gynaecology at NCIC, is also pleased, and said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Khan as our new Clinical Director.

"Mr Khan has shown that he believes in team work and putting women at the centre of everything we do.

“He has some great ideas about now to move the department forward and hopes to make maternity services at NCIC the best in the region.

“We are looking forward to working with him in his new role.”