IHPN appoints new director of regulation

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) has appointed Vicky McNally as director of regulation.

McNally will replace Dawn Hodgkins, who is leaving in the autumn.

She joins after 29 years at Cygnet Health Care, where she held senior executive and board-level roles covering regulation, governance, quality and risk.

During her time at Cygnet, the mental health provider grew from five to 147 services across England, Scotland and Wales.

McNally was responsible for regulatory compliance, corporate governance, quality assurance and risk management across its mental health, social care and specialist services.

She also developed Cygnet’s corporate governance framework and played a role in acquisition programmes worth more than £800m, including overseeing the regulatory and governance integration of acquired services.

McNally has served a six-year term as an elected independent sector representative on the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network Board and has been involved in government-backed initiatives and national improvement programmes.

In her new role, she will lead IHPN’s work on regulation, quality and patient safety, working with members and national regulators.

IHPN chief executive David Hare said: ‘Vicky brings an exceptional depth of experience and understanding of the regulatory environment in which independent healthcare providers operate.

‘Her knowledge of regulation, governance and quality, combined with her strong relationships across the sector, will be a real asset to IHPN and our members.’

McNally said: ‘I’m particularly looking forward to working with IHPN members, regulators and partners across the health and care system to help ensure that regulation supports high standards of care, while recognising the diversity and changing nature of independent healthcare provision.’