Troubled acute appoints council chief as CEO

A major acute trust in the East Midlands has appointed the chief executive of the local county council to be its new chief executive.

Anthony May has led Nottinghamshire County Council since 2015 and is expected to take over the leadership of NUH from the autumn.

He will take over the leadership of NUH at a pivotal time; it is currently embroiled in a maternity scandal involving hundreds of families, with the outcome of an independent review into its maternity services expected in November this year. It is currently rated “inadequate” for leadership by the Care Quality Commission.

Since October 2021, deputy chief executive Rupert Eggington has been NUH’s interim leader, after its former chief executive Tracy Taylor departed following a long period off work sick with covid.

Following his appointment, Mr May said his focus would be on the current challenges facing the trust, which included improvements in the maternity service, flow through the hospital, and the way the organisation is led. 

He added: “In particular, I would like to reassure those who have come forward bravely as part of the independent maternity review, that I am determined that the trust provides full support to the process and can deliver the improvements needed for local mothers, babies and families.

“In the lead-up to my appointment, I met a number of colleagues who work in the trust, and some of the patients who receive services. In all of these conversations, I was met by honesty and a commitment to improve.”

Mr May joined the council in 2004 and was formerly corporate director for children, families and cultural services and deputy chief executive. He is also chair of ‘Midlands Engine’, a national coalition of local councils.

Nick Carver, chair of NUH said: “I am delighted that Anthony has been appointed as our new chief executive. He has extensive knowledge of the issues faced by the system, a proven commitment to partnership working and a strong track record in the provision of excellent services that are accountable to the public.”