Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust has announced a series of changes to its senior leadership team.
Gill Findley has been appointed as Deputy Chief Executive, which she will undertake alongside her current role as Chief Nurse and Professional Lead for Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals. Gill has worked at Gateshead Health since August 2021 and has demonstrated a strong track record in providing high-quality, safe patient care.
Following her appointment, Gill said: “I feel very privileged to have been appointed to the Deputy Chief Executive role and I am excited to work with our talented team to continue to grow and deliver great care for our patients.”
Mr Neil Halford has been appointed as Medical Director of Operations. In this role, Neil will support the Trust’s aim of being a clinically led and management-supported organisation. Neil Halford has been with Gateshead Health for a number of years and has held a variety of leadership positions, most recently as Deputy Medical Director. He will also continue his role as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine. This will allow Mr Andy Beeby, the current Medical Director to focus on our strategic ambition of establishing Gateshead Health as a leader within the local health system.
Neil Halford said, “I am delighted to have been appointed as Medical Director of Operations and am looking forward to working with colleagues across the Trust to ensure that we continue to provide high-quality care to our patients. I am committed to supporting our clinical staff to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
Amanda Venner will become interim Executive Director of People and Organisational Development in June, when the current director, Lisa Crichton-Jones leaves for a new role with NHS Employers. Amanda joined the organisation in 2022 as the Deputy Director of People and Organisational Development and has held various roles within the NHS in the region.
She said, “I am honoured to be appointed as interim director and I look forward to working with our people at Gateshead to continue to build a strong and supportive culture that empowers us all to do our best work.
“I am committed to ensuring that Gateshead Health is a place where everyone feels valued, respected and like they belong. I am confident that we can achieve great things together.”
Nicola Bruce has been appointed as the interim Director of Strategy, Planning and Partnerships. In this role, Nicola will be responsible for strengthening the delivery of our Trust strategy and planning functions along with building and enhancing relationships with our partners and stakeholders. This move capitalises on Nicola’s previous experience and current knowledge of the Gateshead and the wider North East system.
In starting her new role, Nicola said, “I look forward to working with colleagues across the Trust and with our partners and stakeholders to continue to develop and deliver our strategic plan. Our focus remains the delivery of safe, high-quality care with the right people in the right place at the right time. We want to be a valued and effective partner, committed to improving health outcomes and establishing Gateshead Health’s position in the community and wider health and care system”.
Joanne Halliwell who is an experienced Operations Director and is currently working at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust will be seconded into Nicola’s current role of Director of Operations for the Medicine Business Unit. Joanne Halliwell added: “I’m looking forward to starting work at Gateshead Health and have already heard a lot of great things about the organisation. I’m eager to learn more about the culture and become an integral part of the team. I believe that I can make a positive contribution to the organisation’s success.”
Amy Muldoon has been appointed as Director of Operations in Surgery and will start her role at the beginning of June. She replaces Helen Routh, who retired at the end of May. In this role, Amy will be responsible for overseeing the surgical department, women’s health services and paediatric services. She said, “I am excited to be joining the surgical business unit. I have a strong passion for improving the quality and delivering for our patients. I am confident that I can make a positive impact and look forward to working with everyone.”
Dr Fiaz Ahmad has also been appointed as the Clinical Head of Service for the Surgical Business Unit, which he will undertake alongside his clinical role as an Anaesthetist and Intensivist and Clinical Lead for the Trust Vascular Access Service. Fiaz brings with him a wealth of experience and has been an integral part of the Gateshead Health team for 14 years. His extensive knowledge and experience in the field will be invaluable to the Surgical Business Unit as they strive to provide high-quality patient care.
Fiaz said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Clinical Head of Service for the Surgical Business Unit. I am looking forward to working alongside the Clinical Teams to bring my expertise and experience to the services within the Business Unit and help provide the best possible care for our patients. “I have always had a passion for providing excellent patient care and this role will allow me to continue to deliver that.”
“We are pleased to announce these appointments and changes to senior roles,” said Trudie Davies, chief executive for Gateshead Health. “These changes reflect the Trust’s dedication to excellence in patient care and how our organisation will become clinically led and management supported. It will also help us to provide the highest quality of services to Gateshead’s local community. They are all proven leaders with a strong commitment to our values.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing directors for their contributions to Gateshead Health.”