Health 2049: Paul Mears, CEO of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, Wales, UK

Jason Helgerson co-hosts the Health 2049 podcast with Bisi Williams of the Massive Change Network.

Paul Mears leads an integrated health board across the pond in the country of Wales, part of the United Kingdom. These traditional old mining communities have–as many post industrial communities here in the States–experienced challenges as the dominant industry exited, leaving many behind and created deep social and health needs. Paul’s vision of health includes one where a collaborative, reactive, digitally-enhanced care system can rise to meet these difficult challenges. 

Paul Mears has been Chief Executive of Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board in Wales, UK since September 2020.  The Health Board is an integrated population health organisation delivering and commissioning healthcare services for a population of 450,000 in the Welsh Valleys.  This includes three general hospitals, mental health services, community care, primary care services and public health.  Paul is the national CEO lead in the Welsh NHS for innovation and also leads the delivery of value based healthcare across the country.

Prior to this role Paul spent two years as independent management consultant advising a number of clients in both the public and private healthcare sector as well as digital healthcare businesses.  This included is working as a Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company.  Paul was previously Chief Executive of Yeovil District Hospital in Somerset where he established the Symphony Programme designed to integrate care across primary care, the acute hospital and community services.   Paul started his NHS career in Torbay where he was instrumental in setting up Torbay Care Trust and leading the operational business of one of the first integrated community health and social care organisations in England as well as working as Chief Operating Officer at Torbay Hospital. 

Paul has an interest in integrated care, digital healthcare and innovation which has led him to speak at a range of national and international events on these topics.  His development of integrated care models has been featured in the Financial Times, The Economist and Health Service Journal.  Paul is a strong believer that the future of healthcare is a pivot away from a focus on hospital based care to upstream engagement and involvement of communities in improving health outcomes as well as using digital technologies to drive a more citizen-centred healthcare system.