Hampshire health boss to step down in the summer

Graham Allen has been in the adults’ health and care position since May 2016

One of the top health bosses in Hampshire will leave his role this summer.

Graham Allen, the county council's director of adults’ health and care, has been in the position since May 2016 but will retire at the end of August.

Under his management, plans to shut and refurbish seven care homes in the county were approved, as part of the controversial £173m transformation project.

He will be replaced by Jess Hutchinson, currently assistant director for younger adults and principal social worker at the council.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Following a robust assessment and appointment process, the county council’s cross-party member appointment panel unanimously agreed on Wednesday, 22 May, to the appointment of Jess Hutchinson as director of adults’ health and care.

“Currently, the local authority’s assistant director for younger adults and principal social worker, Jess, will take over from Graham when he retires at the end of August this year.”

Mrs Hutchinson started out working as a volunteer for a young woman with physical disabilities and then supported people to move out of long-stay hospitals.

She qualified as a social worker in 1998, working with people with learning disabilities.

Since then, she has remained in Hampshire County Council in various management and leadership roles, reaching 25 years of service.