The NHS Confederation has appointed Ruth Rankine to the role of primary care network (PCN) development director.

Ruth was formerly the deputy chief inspector of general practice at the Care Quality Commission, and her new role will require her to work closely with leaders to voice their concerns.

Her new role is part of an independent platform The NHS Confederation specifically set up for PCNs in the hope that they can go on to influence national policy and provide them with opportunities to communicate with each other.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "We are delighted to welcome Ruth to the team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of primary care and of operating at a national level.

"The success of the NHS Long Term Plan for England depends to a great degree on embracing population health, bringing local services together, and ending the isolation and underfunding of primary care."