Karen Hargan to lead Western Health and Social Care Trust into new era

The Western Health and Social Care Trust has announced the appointment of Karen Hargan as its new Chief Executive.

Currently the Trust’s Director of Human Resources and Organisation Development, Mrs Hargan will take up the role on May 1 2026, following the retirement of the current Chief Executive, Neil Guckian, at the end of April after almost five years in the role.

Dr Tom Frawley, Chair of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said: “Following a rigorous appointment process, the Trust Board is delighted to appoint Karen Hargan as our next Chief Executive. Since joining the Trust in 2021, she has demonstrated strong leadership, sound judgement and a strong commitment to our values and to the communities we serve.

"The Board is confident that Karen has the experience, credibility and system understanding required to lead the Trust through a period of significant challenge and change.”

The Chair added: “The coming year will be a demanding one for health and social care, with significant financial pressures and continued growth in demand for services. Progress will depend on strong partnership working — with staff, patients, communities, trade unions, local government and regional health and care partners, and we believe that Karen will provide the collaborative leadership required.”

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Commenting on the appointment, Mrs Hargan said: “I am honoured to be appointed Chief Executive of the Western Trust. I am very conscious of the scale of the financial and operational challenges ahead, and of the impact these pressures have on staff and on the communities we serve.

"I believe strongly that progress will only be achieved by working in partnership across the Trust, with our partners and with the communities we serve, and by focusing relentlessly on quality, safety and sustainability.”

The Chair also paid tribute to the outgoing Chief Executive: “As Neil Guckian prepares to retire after almost five years as Chief Executive, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Trust Board, to extend our sincere thanks for his leadership of the Western Trust during what has been an exceptionally challenging period for health and social care.

"He has led the organisation with compassion, clarity and resilience, and his steady leadership through some of the most difficult years the service has faced has been invaluable. Alongside his leadership within the Trust, he has also played an important system leadership role, working with partners across health and social care in Northern Ireland to support collaboration, stability and reform.

"The Board is deeply grateful for his dedication, professionalism and the positive impact his leadership has had on services for our patients, clients and service users, as well as on our staff who deliver services every day.”