Former NHSE chief executive steps down as trust chair

A former CEO of NHS England is stepping down from his position as chair of an acute hospital trust.

Sir David Nicholson announced his departure from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust after four years at the organisation’s July board meeting.

Announcing the meeting would be his last as chair, he told board members: “We’ve got a board which has set out a compelling direction for the organisation.

“We’ve put in place a lot of things which are already making improvements, particularly the success we’ve had on taking forward digital projects, which will have a massive impact on patients going forward, the capital programme, and much more.

“All of those things that we’ve struggled to get right in the past… trust me I know, we’ve got a very strong board to take this forward.”

He added: “Thank you everybody for your help and support in all of this, putting me right where I’m going wrong.”

Sir David, who remains chair of Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, went on to say he will remain a resident of Worcestershire and continue to take an interest in the trust’s activities.

He joined Worcestershire in 2018 when the organisation was rated “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission.

The trust’s CEO, Matthew Hopkins, said of his departure: “Sir David has made a huge contribution to the progress we have made as a trust and to the many improvements we have made to our hospitals and our services over the past four years.

“On behalf of the board, and colleagues across our trust, I would like to thank Sir David for his unwavering commitment to the trust, our staff and our patients.

”His knowledge, experience and understanding of the NHS have been invaluable to us.” 

It is hoped that current non-executive director Anita Day will take over as acting chair at Worcestershire, pending the outcome of a national appointment process to confirm her as interim chair.

Mr Hopkins added: “On a personal note, I would also like to thank [Sir David] for his constant support since I joined the trust, not least throughout the covid pandemic, which has been the biggest challenge our NHS has ever faced.

“We wish him all the very best for the future and I have no doubt he will continue to play a significant role in the NHS in the Midlands.”