Recently, at Leading Healthcare, we’ve covered the news that the CQC Chief Inspector is due to retire next year and that Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has appointed a new Chief Executive.
But we’ve also rounded up the latest news from the past week that you may have missed…
New WHO Ambassador for Global Health Financing
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Gordon Brown has been appointed as WHO Ambassador for Global Health Financing, as the organisation moves to end vaccine inequality.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “I am delighted and honoured that Gordon Brown has agreed to serve as WHO Ambassador for Global Health Financing. In this role, he will elevate and support WHO’s work to raise awareness internationally on the great need for sustained global health financing, particularly from G20 and G7 countries. As a longtime friend of Gordon’s, I know that he will bring his sharp intellect, firm commitment and deep sense of justice to this Ambassadorship.
Brown, the former UK Prime Minister, has also been in the news recently, calling for larger nations to share vaccine doses with lower-income nations.
New hospital opening date set
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust has announced that a new hospital will be opening in March 2022. The £100 million project will contain six new operating theatres, state of the art diagnostics, and outpatient services.
Kier, the construction partner on the project, will take over the site in November and begin fitting the hospital. The new hospital will also double the patient activity in the region.
In addition, the current Heatherwood hospital building is set to be released for a new housing development.
New Lead Nurse for Addictions
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust has named a new Lead Nurse for Addictions.
Ron Bevan will take over the role, following James Smith, who is Diggory Division’s new Assistant Director of Nursing.
Ron Bevan said: “This is an incredible opportunity and in my new role I will be flying the flag for addiction nursing and in encouraging people, particularly young people, to consider a role in addiction nursing as there is so much you can get from working in this area.
“I’ve seen so many people make the most out of their lives by stopping alcohol or drugs and for me and for colleagues who work in this field that’s the best reward – people changing their lives for the better.”
New chair of Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust named
A new Chair of the Board has been announced by Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust.
Rt Hon Caroline Flint will take on the role. She has 22-years of experience in politics and was previously Minister of State for Public Health.
Michele Moran, Chief Executive at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Caroline to Humber. Her experience and expertise will be valuable to help guide us as we move forward on our journey. I look forward to working with her at an important time for the NHS and for our organisation.”
“I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Sharon Mays for two terms of leadership which has put us in a great position to build on the progress we’ve made over the last seven years.”
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust submits a strategic outline case
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a strategic outline case for the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington.
Professor Tim Orchard, Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare Trust, said: “The trust has the biggest backlog maintenance liability of any NHS organisation and, as our staff and patients are very aware, the state of our facilities, with many pre-dating the NHS itself, makes it increasingly difficult to provide high quality care.”
A summary of the full strategic outline has been published online, with the full document due to be published at a later date.
New Mental Health Teams launched in education settings
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust has launched new mental health teams in education settings across the region. The MindMate Support Teams will be providing mental wellbeing and advice support for young people up to 19-years-old in education settings across Leeds. The scheme is backed by the NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
Jayne Bathgate-Roche, Pathway Integration Leader at NHS Leeds CCG, said: “We are extremely pleased to be launching MindMate Support Teams for young people. The service aims to provide early support on mental health and emotional issues such as low mood, mild to moderate anxiety, stress, sleep and panic.
“We already have a lot to offer in Leeds. Children and young people can access the MindMate website, where they can get advice and support they need to manage their emotional wellbeing.”
The team was established in January 2020, and was successful in securing funding that will expand the team over the next three years.
