The new interim chief executive officer for the island’s health department has been appointed.

Kathryn Magson, who has led the NHS Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group since 2017, will steer the Department of Health and Social Care on a two-year secondment.

She takes over the chief executive officer role from Angela Murray, who will be the department’s first chief operating officer.

The DHSC, which is £8m in the red, says she will guide the department while a programme to transform the island’s health and care services moves forward.

Her appointment comes after a series of ministers and top officials failed to get a grip on finances.

She has already met officers across the department and wider government colleagues to understand their responsibilities.

She said: ’I am delighted to be taking the helm in a department whose services matter so much to every person on this island.

’My experience in working with clinicians and stakeholders to develop compassionate and sustainable health and care services for local people, will serve the island well.

’As a newcomer I will be doing a lot of listening and asking questions, but am relishing the challenges ahead.’

She added: ’I have had a warm Manx welcome from the moment I arrived. I look forward to getting to know our staff, all our partners, the public and our patients.’