The county’s hospital trust has appointed a new chief executive.
Glen Burley becomes the latest chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust taking over from Matthew Hopkins after four years in the role.
Mr Burley said he was delighted to make his return to Worcestershire after 16 years having previously served as the hospital trust’s chief operating officer and deputy chief executive.
“I am really pleased to see how the organisation has developed over the last decade,” he said.
“Going forward, I’m looking forward to expanding on the great work already underway, making the organisation the best it can be for our patients and supporting our staff to feel valued and listened to.”
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The former chief executive Matthew Hopkins leaves to become boss of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
It was during Mr Hopkin’s tenure that the acute trust, which runs Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester and the Alex in Redditch, moved out of special measures in 2020, five years on from an inadequate rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Mr Burley becomes the chief executive at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust - adding to his roles at three other NHS trusts in Herefordshire and Warwickshire.
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His appointment comes as Worcestershire’s hospital trust becomes the latest to join the Foundation Group – made up of Wye Valley, George Eliot and South Warwickshire NHS Trusts – all of which are also headed by Mr Burley.
The Foundation Group was set up by Wye Valley and South Warwickshire trusts in 2017 and a review had argued that Worcestershire would benefit by signing up fully to the partnership.
The move might also help the county in its bid for University Hospital status.
“The Foundation Group model has lots of recognised benefits and alongside partners, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and Wye Valley NHS Trust, this expansion is going to strengthen all of our abilities to share best practice and improve patient pathways,” Mr Burley said.
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“Within the Foundation Group there is a strong culture for driving continuous improvements and championing innovation, and with all the great things happening in Worcestershire’s hospitals, other partners are really going to benefit from the trust’s full membership.”
Russell Hardy also joins as chair of the hospital trust’s board – a role he also serves for the Foundation Group’s other three partner trusts.
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