The appointment follows the move by current chief officer, Alison MacDonald, to NHS Lothian as director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals.

Calum Campbell, chief executive NHS Lothian, said: “We are delighted to appoint Fiona to her new role to which she brings a huge amount of relevant experience and an excellent understanding of the wider health and social care system.

“In her role at West Lothian, she has demonstrated tremendous commitment to collaborative working, delivering excellent services that put people at the centre. We know Fiona will continue to steer new initiatives and integrated models of care that are fit for the future.”

Starting her career as an occupational therapist, Fiona Wilson has a background of working as a Service Manager in the acute hospital setting before moving to Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership as a Service Manager where she had responsibility for both health and social care services including care at home, social work, district nursing and care homes.

In 2018, Ms Wilson was seconded to support the Chief Officer in Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership in addressing the challenge of Delayed Discharge. During that time, she has worked with acute and partnership colleagues to reduce the number of people delayed in hospital along with reducing the associated occupied bed days.

In her time in Edinburgh, Ms Wilson secured funding and introduced a number of initiatives that support prevention of admission and early discharge promoting assessment in the individual’s own home.

Ms Wilson is currently involved in a number of transformation programmes in West Lothian that will look to change service delivery focused on delivering person centred care, through different models of delivery.

Monica Patterson, chief executive of East Lothian Council, commented: “I would like to congratulate Fiona on her appointment to the Chief Officer role. Fiona will build on the existing excellent work of the health and social care partnership. She will continue to drive forward innovation, partnership working and integrated service delivery with a focus on helping to create innovative solutions to complex issues.

“In working to lead, shape and influence the provision of health and social care services in East Lothian, Fiona will be an important member of the Council Management Team.”

Fiona Wilson said: “I’m really excited to be taking up this new and challenging role at such a critical time as we recover from the pandemic. My passion has always been improving services in order to ensure people receive the treatment and care they need as close to home as possible, which is where they want to be.

“I am keen to build on the good work already taking place transforming patient care and supporting the East Lothian community. Teamwork and listening to people are the key elements to person centred care and together, we can make a real difference to health, social care and wellbeing in East Lothian.”

The role of director of the Health and Social Care Partnership reports directly to the chief executives of East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian.