Nichola Thompson has been appointed as Rochdale Borough Council’s new director for health and care.
Nichola will also lead the council’s integrated commissioning directorate, working across the borough’s health and care system as deputy place lead. Her new role will include the delivery of adult care and health care commissioning, which includes GP and hospital services. Nichola is currently working in a joint role at Cheshire East Council and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. She will take up her post at Rochdale in March, replacing Claire Richardson who has taken up a new position as director of health and care integration at Blackburn with Darwen Council. Nichola said: “I'm really looking forward to joining Rochdale and building on all of the great work that I have read and heard so much about. My focus will be to drive forward the integration of health and care services, building on the successful partnership approach and ensuring the delivery of top class, joined up services that improve residents’ lives and reduce health inequalities.” Councillor Daalat Ali, the council’s cabinet member for health, said: “Nichola has a wealth of experience across the health and social care sector, with a proven track record in delivering innovative health and care services. She is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of residents in our borough. It’s an exciting time for Nichola to be joining us, as we develop our integrated neighbourhood teams and move towards even stronger health and care partnership working." Sarah Price, chief officer for health inequalities and population health and deputy chief executive for NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: ““We look forward to welcoming Nichola to Greater Manchester and the wealth of experience she brings with her, and am sure she will play a key role in Rochdale’s health integration journey.”
Conservatives select Emma Lee as candidate for Tottington by election
Bowlee car boot sale returns for the 2026 season
Inside the major refurbishment transforming Tenpin Rochdale
Former Middleton pub could reopen as convenience store after closure
Councillors raise concern over Riverside Housing sale of social homes in Middleton
Heywood community raises £1799.65 as Donna Dolan shaves hair for Macmillan
Road closure in Ramsbottom
Rochdale families urged to shape national consultation on keeping children safe online
Civil war erupts as Labour activists in Gorton and Denton say party is ‘not willing to change’
Silver Street offices approved as temporary housing
All the major projects Rochdale can expect from capital funding
Emergency services respond after people report illness at Bury premises
