Movers and shakers news round-up

Digital Health’s latest movers and shakers round-up features some new digital appointments at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as well as a new CEO for Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Sarah Moorhead and Andrew Haywood have been appointed associate directors of digital at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT). Sarah will take up the position of associate director of digital demand while Andrew will be the associate director of digital supply.

Sarah, who comes with over 15 years experience of leading digital health projects in the public and private health sector, will be focused on delivery of solutions and the governance of those systems to LTHT.

Andrew, who joins the trust from NHS Digital, will be focused on supply, ensuring that the service is delivered and supported in a robust manner and will have responsibility for data and information from Leeds.

Both will report to Richard Corbridge, chief digital and information officer at LTHT, who said the appointments ‘bolster the leadership’ at the trust and its ‘digital vision’.

Eugine Yafele has been appointed the chief executive at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Currently deputy chief executive at Dorset HealthCare, Eugine has held a number of senior NHS posts, including Head of Mental Health in Northamptonshire and Deputy Chief Nurse at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed Chief Executive of Dorset HealthCare. The improvements in quality and patient experience that have been made in recent years are down to the hard work and commitment of our staff, who have continually shown their passion to get the very best for the people we serve.”

Eugine will take up his new role early in 2019, following the departure of current chief executive, Ron Shields, who announced his retirement in October.

Andy Willis, chair of Dorset HealthCare, added: “Eugine is a highly experienced leader with a wealth of experience since he started his NHS career as a nurse in London and has had a key role in the significant improvements made at Dorset HealthCare since he joined in 2014.

“Throughout our rigorous selection process, including an extensive UK and international candidate search, Eugine demonstrated that he has the experience, values and commitment to continue our journey to becoming an outstanding provider of NHS services.”

Kate Shields has been appointed as chief executive at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. 

Kate came to Cornwall to support the executive team when the Trust was placed in special measures in 2017 and has been interim chief executive since July 2018.

A former registered nurse and mental health nurse, Kate has held several significant leadership roles including director of strategy, partnerships and reconfiguration at University Hospitals Leicester, regional director of specialised commissioning for NHS England and the national head of specialised commissioning.

She said: “I am delighted to be confirmed in post and look forward to continuing to support all who work at RCHT to provide the brilliant health service and care the people of Cornwall deserve.”

Iain Stewart has been appointed the chief executive of NHS Highland. 

Iain, who has held a number of senior positions within the NHS in both England and Wales, will take up the position at the end of this month.

He said: I have provided senior operational and transformational leadership to various NHS organisations, managing multiple acute hospitals, mental health, community and strategic commissioning throughout England and North Wales.

“It is now time for me to consolidate these experiences and, together, I believe we can continue to build a world class health and social care service for the north of Scotland.”

NHS Highland’s outgoing chief executive officer, Elaine Mead, departed the role on 31st December 2018.

Dr Gregor Smith, the deputy chief medical officer for Scotland, has been appointed as the board’s interim chief executive and accountable officer pending Iain’s substantive appointment.

NHS Highland chair, David Alston, added: “I am delighted that Iain has accepted this appointment. He brings a passion for the NHS and for improvement, and a personal commitment to the Highlands and its people.”

Henry Jones has been appointed CEO for the online mental health and wellbeing service, Big White Wall. 

Henry, who has more than 25 years of experience in disruptive services and technology companies, will be responsible for overseeing growth and expansion in his new role.

He said: “I see this as an amazing opportunity to be part of a business with a “true” great purpose that is making people’s lives better.

“The company already has a great culture and a proven track record, so I look forward to adding my personal passion and experience of building technology businesses to the mix.”

Andy Kinnear has been appointed to the advisory board of Highland Marketing. 

The chair of the health and care executive at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and director of digital transformation at NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit, will be expected to meet quarterly at Highland Marketing’s London offices and at other venues around the UK.

Members will also be available to provide advice to the agency and its clients when required.

Highland Marketing is a marketing and PR agency for health tech companies and NHS organisations.

Andy said: I think the key to driving success in digital health and care is for like-minded individuals to get together and solve problems.

“I see this as a fabulous opportunity to join a group of people with a similar mindset on digital health and care to share ideas, network and support others looking to make a real difference to the NHS, the people who work in it, and to patients.

“I am looking forward to finding out more about what other members of the group are doing, and I am sure good stuff will come out of it.”

Andy will be joined by Cindy Fedell, CIO at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Also joining as chair is Jeremy Nettle, a past chair of the techUK healthcare group and former European director for Oracle Corporation Healthcare.