Former NHSE chief named chair of two more trusts
A former NHS chief executive is taking the helm at two more acute trusts in the West Midlands, it has been announced.
Sir David Nicholson has been appointed chair of Royal Wolverhampton Trust and Walsall Healthcare Trust.
Sir David, who was NHS chief executive from 2006 to 2013, and then of NHS England until 2014, will take up the role next month.
He will replace former chief inspector of GPs Steve Field, who announced his departure in February.
Sir David is already chair of neighbouring acutes Dudley Group Foundation Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust and will remain in these posts, meaning he will be chairing all the acute trusts in the Black Country integrated care system.
They make up the Black Country provider collaborative, which is developing a provider group model in the north and south of the patch.
Joint leadership was established across RWT and Walsall when David Loughton and Professor Field were appointed CEO and chair in early 2021.
Last year, Sir David left his role at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust to become shared chair across SWBH and Dudley in the south of the region.
Closer working came after NHS England and Improvement told the trusts in 2020 they needed to “rapidly” agree on a hospital group model.
Sir David said: “To take on the leadership of four trust boards in the Black Country is both a huge responsibility and a huge privilege.
“True collaboration is key to the future of our services to ensure that we are all on the same page when it comes to doing right by our patients and local communities.”
Sir David also thanked Professor Field for his work in Wolverhampton and Walsall.
Mr Loughton said: “We’re delighted that someone of Sir David’s calibre will be joining us and I’m sure he will be given a warm welcome across Wolverhampton and Walsall.
“I echo his comments about the importance of collaborating at pace to bring improved outcomes that will directly benefit our patients and look forward to working with him to make this happen.”