Mike Farrar appointed Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health

Mike Farrar has been announced as the new Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.

Farrar previously worked for NHS England as Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and Head of Primary Care at the Department of Health in London.

He will replace Peter May in April, who is retiring from the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS).

A Permanent Secretary is the most senior civil servant in a government department. They support their minister and run the department on a day-to-day basis.

Mr Farrar has also been Chief Executive of Health Authorities in North West England, Yorkshire and Tees, and more recently has worked as a management consultant specialising in healthcare.

The Head of the Civil Service, Jayne Brady, thanked outgoing Permanent Secretary Peter May for his service.

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

Peter has brought a wealth of experience, insight and enthusiasm to his roles across different departments and latterly, as Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health, has shown real leadership in steering Health and Social Care through a very challenging period.

– Jayne Brady, Head of the Civil Service

She confirmed that Farrar will have “a key role to play in the reform and transformation of services”.

 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.

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.

I look forward to working with Mike as he undertakes this important role.

– Jayne Brady, Head of the Civil Service

His appointment is on an interim basis and for a fixed term of 12 months, with the potential for an extension.

The role brings with it a salary of £188k, which includes basic salary costs and a fixed, non-pensionable £34k recruitment and retention allowance.

Mike Farrar has a long and impressive track record of health service leadership in the United Kingdom and brings considerable experience of healthcare systems in this country and overseas. This will be of great benefit as we tackle the tremendous challenges in health and social care in Northern Ireland.

I have made clear my commitment to truly transforming our services, bringing more hope into healthcare and achieving better outcomes for patients. I am looking forward to working with Mike as he takes up this key role at a crucial time for the health and social care system.

– Mike Nesbitt MLA, Health Minister