AUSTRALIAN health expert Michelle McKay has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Staff were told of the news last Friday (December 9) and her arrival follows 20 months of the Trust operating under interim CEO Chris Tidman, who will leave his post with immediate effect.
Trust chairman Caragh Merrick, said: “Michelle is working her notice with her current employer and will be joining us in March 2017.
“To manage the transition period and ensure a smooth handover I have asked Rob Cooper, currently director of financial improvement, to take on the role as acting chief executive/accountable officer with immediate effect, and he will continue in post until Michelle joins us.
“This is another important milestone in moving to a permanent leadership team and this appointment means that we will start to see the benefits of stability that patients, public, staff and our stakeholders have been calling for.
“A stable, permanent leadership team is also an essential stepping stone in meeting our aspiration of being rated as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.”
The trust finished the last financial year £59million in debt and was rated as inadequate by the CQC during an inspection earlier this year.
The CQC also paid the trust a second visit last month to see what progress it had made.
Addressing this, Mrs Merrick said: “During the recruitment process I was determined to ensure we attracted the very best candidates and we were able to shortlist an impressive field.
“However it is fair to say some very experienced candidates were put off by the challenging circumstances, including our financial position and the fact we are a trust in special measures.
“But we did attract some excellent national and international candidates and Michelle brings the experience, enthusiasm and determination that we need.
“When I was appointed as Chairman I said ‘Worcestershire deserves the best and this appointment meets that test.
“Michelle has committed her long term career future to Worcestershire and will be relocating with her husband and making Worcestershire their home.
“I would like to thank Chris Tidman for his commitment, dedication and resilience over the last 20 months as interim chief executive and join our staff and stakeholders in wishing him well.
Michelle McKay said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role and have already been encouraged by the enthusiasm and support of the people I have met.
“Worcestershire deserves great health services and I look forward to working with the staff and our stakeholders to drive forward an improvement programme to deliver the very best acute hospital care possible.”
Rob Cooper, acting chief executive said: “My role will be to provide day to day leadership in partnership with Michelle and ensure that the transition period does not adversely impact the services we provide. I will also start preparing the ground for the future.”
