A Royal welcome for new chief
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust recently welcomed its new chief executive Simon Morritt. He becomes the seventh leader of the Royal ‐ which serves more than 400,000 people across North Derbyshire – since it opened its doors to patients in 1984.
With more than 25 years of NHS experience under his belt, including a range of board‐level director roles (the last five years as chief executive of Sheffield Children’s Hospital) Simon joins the Royal at an exciting but challenging time; and is in no doubt about where his focus lies.
Simon Morritt, new chief executive of the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, comments:-
“I consider it a real privilege to have this opportunity.
“The Royal is already a successful hospital, but with strong values and ambitions that aim for continued improvement. My focus is on delivering strong performance, so local people know that they will get the best possible care and experience when they come into our hospital. I also want the Royal to use its ‘Proud to Care’ values not only to improve what it does for patients – but also to be determined to improve the workplace for its valuable staff.
“There are some huge challenges for the NHS, but I believe that the Royal’s strength lies in the close partnerships and relationships it has already built. By working in networks with other hospitals, community services and social care we can lead and shape the new services that will transform how we look after people’s health and well‐being. The NHS is changing and I am looking forward to taking the Royal forward ‐ and to help it thrive as it makes its own choices about its future.”
Dr Helen Phillips, Chair of the Trust, says:-
“We are looking forward to welcoming Simon to the Board of Directors. He brings the talent, energy and vision we need to succeed. At a time when the ‘system transformation’ of health and social care is priority, I am confident that Simon’s demonstrable skills as a ‘system leader’ will put the Royal in a strong position to create services that are right for the populations we serve.
“We are looking forward to seeing some real pace in delivering our six strategic outcomes – including achieving a Care Quality Commission ‘outstanding’ rating and being in the top 20% of Trusts as a good place to work.”
The selection and interview process for the new chief executive involved some of the Trust’s elected public and staff governors who represent local people and staff on the hospital’s Council of Governors. The Council formally approved Simon’s appointment in June this year.
