A new chief medical officer has been appointed.

Dr Ben Riley is now the chief medical officer of the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB).

The BOB ICB is responsible for planning, funding and overseeing NHS services for a population of 1.8 million people.

It makes decisions about the best use of resources to meet residents' needs.

Dr Riley said: "I am delighted to be joining the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board as its new chief medical officer.

"Our health and care system has been through a challenging few years – but having worked locally for over 20 years, as a doctor and NHS Trust director, I am optimistic about the opportunities we have collectively to improve health and care for our residents."

Dr Riley joins the ICB from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, where he spent four years as managing director of community health services, dentistry and primary care.

At Oxford Health, Dr Riley led a team of 2,000 staff providing a wide range of healthcare services for people of all ages across Oxfordshire.

This includes services for children, young people and vulnerable families, urgent and emergency care, community rehabilitation wards, community nursing and therapies and a wide range of planned care services.

Before joining Oxford Health, Dr Riley was the chief clinical officer and chair at OxFed, the GP federation for Oxford City.

He worked as a GP partner at Oxford’s 19 Beaumont Street Surgery for more than seven years, as well as Oxford University College doctor and the lead doctor for a care home that included patients with complex healthcare needs and dementia.

He was also joint clinical director of the Healthier Oxford City Primary Care Network (PCN) and has previously worked as a GP in Faringdon and in Buckinghamshire.

In 2012, Dr Riley received a commendation from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) for outstanding contributions to the discipline of general practice and primary care.

He is a fellow of the Royal College.

Dr Nick Broughton, chief executive of BOB ICB, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Ben will be joining us as chief medical officer.

"His extensive experience in clinical leadership and his commitment to improving patient outcomes make him an outstanding choice for this role.

"His vision and dedication to excellence will be instrumental as we strive to enhance the quality of healthcare provided across BOB.

"I very much look forward to working with Ben and have no doubt that he will make a very positive impact both on our organisation and the communities we serve."