Former nurse appointed as interim CEO

A trust whose chief executive is retiring after 40 years in the NHS has appointed an interim successor.

Joan Spencer, who is the chief operating officer and deputy CEO at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Foundation Trust, will take over from Liz Bishop next spring.

Ms Bishop has led the Clatterbridge since 2018, and took over from Jane Tomkinson at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital FT in February.

A cancer nurse by background, Ms Spencer joined the trust as general manager of chemotherapy in 2014 before becoming its interim director of operations in April 2019.

She was appointed substantive COO in November 2020 and then deputy chief executive in February.

Following her appointment, Ms Spencer said: “I am determined to build on what she has achieved by ensuring we continue to advance cancer care and research, combined with the personal compassion and wraparound support we aim to give every patient.”

CCCFT chair Kathy Doran said: “Joan is an outstanding leader who combines strategic thinking with common sense and a great grasp of detail.”

Elsewhere in the region, Bridgewater Community Healthcare FT has announced its chair will step down in March next year.

Karen Bliss has served on the trust’s board since its inception in 2011 and in the chair role for more than five years.

It comes as Bridgewater is moving to a joint leadership model with nearby Warrington and Halton Hospitals Foundation Trust.

She said: “From a personal perspective, the time is right for me to step down at the end of March as I come towards the end of my term as chair.”