The new chief executive of the body responsible for delivering NHS care in North and East Hertfordshire says she aims to ‘radically improve the quality of people’s lives’ in the county.

Beverley Flowers was appointed chief executive of East and North Herts Clinical Commissioning Group after serving as interim chief executive since September.

She took over from Lesley Watts, who left to take up her new role as chief executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Speaking after her new appointment, Beverley said: “There are many challenges facing health and social care in Hertfordshire.

“We need to do more to focus on ensuring we get the best possible outcomes for the widest range of people in our community.

“A clear priority for our organisation is to promote preventive healthcare and early intervention when people have poor health, so that we can radically improve the quality of people’s lives.”

Before joining the CCG, Beverley held a range of commissioning, partnership and contracting roles in health and social care organisations in both London and the east of England.

Dr Hari Pathmanathan, who chairs the East and North Herts CCG and is also a GP in the county, said: “I am delighted that Beverley has been appointed to lead our organisation.

“She has a real passion for commissioning excellent care for those 580,000 people who rely on us.”