20.12.17
Trust appoints first permanent CEO in two years
The troubled Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has appointed a new permanent chief executive for the first time since suspending its previous boss in 2015.
Silas Nicholls, group deputy chief executive at Manchester University NHS FT, will take over the role from interim CEO Karen Jackson, who has been in charge since April 2017.
The trust suspended former chief executive Jonathan Parry in August 2015 and investigated him for more than a year before finally sacking him in October 2016 for 11 counts of misconduct.
The complete details of Parry’s firing have not been revealed by the trust but a disciplinary panel did disclose that he had negligently breached governance arrangements on a number of occasions, violated his duty of confidentiality with the trust, and failed to comply with conduct regulations with regards to whistleblowing complaints and his behaviour towards colleagues.
Officials say the new boss has been through a rigorous recruitment process involving both board members and staff, ahead of him taking over in early 2018.
Announcing the appointment, trust chair Richard Fraser, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Silas to the trust. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong track record of achievement.
“I also want to thank Karen Jackson for her huge contribution this year. With the support of our staff and stakeholders, she has helped lay substantial foundations on which to build local hospital services for the future.”
Before his work in Manchester, Nicholls worked as chief operating officer at University Hospital of South Manchester NHS FT in December 2014 and then held the role of chief executive from November 2016.
Previously, he was director of operations and performance at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS FT and deputy chief executive and director of strategy at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS FT.
Top image: NHS Southport and Ormskirk Trust
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