28.06.19
NHSI and NHSE appoint chief nurse for the north west from top Manchester trust
The chief nurse at a top performing Manchester trust has been appointed as the new chief nurse in the North West by NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Jackie Bird, the current chief nurse and executive director of nursing and quality at the Christie NHS FT, will take up her new role in September.
She will now lead the regional team across the north west for the newly combined NHSI and NHSE.
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Christie chief executive Roger Spencer paid tribute to Bird, saying he was “absolutely delighted” that the trust’s chief nurse had been selected for the role and that “since taking up the role at The Christie in 2011, Jackie has made a huge impact at the trust.”
“Jackie has a wealth of experience in nursing and this has been acknowledged in a number of awards she has won during her career. We are extremely proud that she has been chosen for such a high-profile role and wish her every success.
“At the Christie we are proud of the calibre of staff we employ, many of who are leaders in their field and Jackie exemplifies the drive for improvement and excellence which underpins The Christie’s status as one of the leading hospitals in the world for cancer treatment and research.”
The Christie was the first specialist trust to be rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC twice, and was referred to by the health regulator as “pioneering” and a “leader in cancer care.”
The trust, rated as one of the top three trusts overall in England by the CQC, said Bird was instrumental in the creation of the Christie Quality Mark which reassures patients they will receive high-quality care.
Bird came to the Christie in 2011 from the Rotherham NHS FT where she was chief nurse and chief of quality and standards, and also spent time at Salford Royal NHS FT.
Commenting on her appointment, she said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the chief nurse of the north west and look forward to working with the regional team and colleagues across the north west.”