01.11.17
NHS England director takes over at special measures Kettering trust
Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust (KGH) has appointed NHS England director Simon Weldon as its new chief executive.
The trust is currently rated as ‘requires improvement’ by the CQC and is in special measures following a report in September and will look to the new boss for progress.
Weldon, previously director of operations and delivery at NHS England, has overseen key national delivery programmes including non-elective, primary care, mental health, cancer and transforming care. He was also responsible for the development of the urgent and emergency care transformation programme at a national level.
The new executive called the appointment a “great privilege”, adding: “I am looking forward to working with the hospital team and wider colleagues to help shape and deliver services which meet the challenges of the Five Year Forward View.”
The trust board is said to be confident in Weldon but will also be keeping on Fiona Wise as interim chief executive during the progress.
Kettering’s chairman, Alan Burns, said “Simon’s appointment comes at a very important time for our hospital. I strongly believe that Simon has the breadth of experience that KGH needs to drive forward its improvement.
“He brings to the trust the strategic expertise that we need, refined whilst holding a very senior position at a national level. He also has a proven background of delivery within the acute hospital sector as well as in commissioning and contracting services at regional level from a range of provider bodies.
“I am looking forward to working with Simon to enable KGH to establish itself as a hospital with a reputation for excellence in quality and performance.”
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