Dr Knox will undertake the role on a six-month basis while the process to secure a permanent medical director takes place.  

He said: ‘I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to serve our communities, teams and health and care system in this way. We have some really tough months ahead and I know there are a host of different emotions and pressures for so many of us. I wish it wasn't so. 

"As I take on this role, you can expect me to live out the values of our organisation: compassion, integrity, inclusion and respect. I am keen that we treat each other with kindness as we seek to hold true to our quadruple aim – improving the health of the population whilst tackling health inequity, ensuring our services are safe and excellent in terms of access, experience and outcomes, making Lancashire and South Cumbria a great place to work for our teams and doing this within the resource envelope we have available. Not an easy task… but we can find a way through these complex times and build it together."

Dr Knox will begin the role from 1 April, taking over from Andy Curran, who agreed to step into the role on a temporary basis during the internal selection process.