Hospital trust chief executive swaps Worcestershire for Essex

Matthew Hopkins will vacate his position as chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust later this year.

It comes after he was appointed for the same role at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Anita Day, chair of the trust which oversees Worcestershire Royal and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, thanked him for his service.

She said: “I would like to thank Matthew for his compassionate and patient-focussed leadership over the past four years, for his dedication and commitment to our Trust and for his huge contribution to the many improvements we have made to the quality, safety and effectiveness of our services.

“On a personal note, I would also like to thank him for his support both before and after I took over as Trust chair and for his brave and decisive leadership through the many challenges we have faced together, not least the global pandemic.”

Worcestershire Royal Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

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Reflecting on his time in the county, Mrs Day noted his importance in the introduction of robot-assisted surgery at the Alexandra and the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at Worcestershire Royal, among other things.

“During his time as chief executive we have developed a clear vision for the future of our hospitals, opened new services, invested in new facilities and gone live with our new Electronic Patient Record.

“We have also begun the rollout of our 4ward Improvement System – which, with its respect for people and its mindset of ‘better never stops,’ typifies Matthew’s approach to leadership.”

It is not yet clear who will replace Mr Hopkins as chief executive.

Mrs Day added: “I wish him all the very best for the next stage of his NHS career and whilst we progress the succession arrangements, I know that Matthew will remain absolutely committed to doing his best for our patients and our staff for the rest of his time here.

“Our board will also remain resolutely focussed on continuing to drive further improvements to our services, building on what we have achieved in recent years and working with our system partners to provide the best possible health care for our communities and to fulfil our purpose of putting patients first.”   

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Mr Hopkins will move into the role of chief executive at the Mid and South Essex Trust, having held the same position at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust and Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. 

Chair of the Trust, Nigel Beverley said: “It was an extremely competitive recruitment process, and I am delighted that the Trust is attracting so much talent.

“Matthew is an experienced CEO who I know will use his significant knowledge and leadership skills to guide the organisation forward as we continue to improve the care we are providing to our population.”