Professor Sir Liam Donaldson

Professor Sir Liam Donaldson was appointed as chair of the North East and North Cumbria integrated care system (ICS) in December 2020, ahead of the ICB becoming a statutory organisation in April 2022 when he took up the post of 'chair designate'.

Sir Liam has a wealth of experience and knowledge, from his time as Regional Director of the former Northern Regional Health Authority, his role as the country’s Chief Medical Officer and his advisory role to the World Health Organisation. 

He is passionate about working with local authority colleagues to reduce the burden of premature death and preventable disease and the longstanding health inequalities that affect many parts of our region. He also shares the commitment of all staff working in these vital public services to do everything possible to deliver safe high quality care appropriate and accessible to everyone who needs it.

Professor Sir Liam Donaldson is recognised as an international champion of healthcare quality, patient safety and public health. He is a former vice-chairman of the World Health Organisation’s executive board. He is the World Health Organisation’s envoy for patient safety and chairman of the independent monitoring board for the Polio Eradication Programme.

Sir Liam was previously the chief medical officer for England, and the United Kingdom’s chief medical adviser, from 1998-2010, the longest serving in modern times. During this time, he held critical responsibilities across the whole field of public health and healthcare and advised secretaries of state for health, the prime minister and other government ministers. He produced landmark reports that set health policy and legislation in many fields, notably the country’s decision to introduce smoke-free public places and workplaces.

In the 1980's and 1990's, he was regional director of public health and regional general manager of the former northern regional health authority. He was chancellor of Newcastle University for 10 years, stepping down from that post in 2019.