She will join CityCare later this year from her role as medical director at East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Dr Atkinson, who worked as a GP partner in Nottinghamshire for 20 years, has extensive clinical leadership experience having worked at all levels of an ICS, including leading the development of Nottinghamshire's ICS clinical and community strategy.

She has worked for the NHS Confederation as primary care medical adviser to influence policy at a national level.

Chair Sherry Malik said: ‘Nicole's knowledge as a senior leader with experience in NHS primary care and integrated care systems will be vital as CityCare develops to meet the expected shift away from hospital care to community-based health services as part of the Government's 10-year plan for the NHS.'

Dr Atkinson said: ‘I am looking forward to continuing my work with partners and stakeholders in the wider NHS and care system as we develop new relationships and new working arrangements that will ensure we continue to deliver high-quality compassionate community-based care.

‘It's an exciting and fascinating time to be joining so many talented and dedicated colleagues. Over the coming months we will finalise our new five-year strategy which will take CityCare from April 2025 through to the end of the decade as a leading provider of community health care and children's services in Nottingham.'