Dr Ian Gargan is to take over as chief executive officer of the Private Healthcare Information Network from September.
A medical doctor and qualified psychologist who has worked in both the public and private healthcare sectors, Gargan has extensive experience in leading healthcare organisations and joins PHIN from Imagine Healthcare, an organisation providing mental health and wellbeing services to large global corporations.
Jayne Scott, chairwoman of PHIN, said: “Personally and on behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Ian as chief executive. Ian joins at an exciting time and I have every confidence that he will continue to move PHIN forward, working together with all our stakeholders.”
Gargan (pictured) added: “I believe passionately in the mission of PHIN to make information available that supports excellent patient care and brings transparency in the marketplace. People considering private healthcare require reliable, objective and independent information to inform their treatment choices.
“I am excited to lead the team at PHIN, to work closely with the PHIN board and all our stakeholders to complete the mandate set out in the CMA Order.”
Outgoing chief executive David Hare added: “I’m delighted that Ian has been appointed chief executive of PHIN. With growing numbers of people choosing to pay privately for their care, PHIN’s role has never been more important in helping to improve transparency in the sector and to support patients to navigate the privately-funded care which is available to them in the UK.
“I look forward to working with Ian and his team and continuing to support patients in making the best possible choices about their care.”