Pennine Acute NHS Trust announces new Chief Executive

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has announced that it has appointed Dr Gillian Fairfield as its new Chief Executive to take over from John Saxby who is to retire in 2014

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has announced that it has appointed Dr Gillian Fairfield as its new Chief Executive to take over from John Saxby who is to retire in 2014.

Dr Fairfield, currently Chief Executive at Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW), is to take up the position of Chief Executive at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in the Spring.

Dr Fairfield has been at the helm of NTW, one of the country's largest NHS mental health and learning disability Trusts, since 2008.

After qualifying in medicine at The University of Birmingham in 1981, Dr  Fairfield has held a variety of clinical, managerial and leadership roles in the NHS completing specialist training in both General Practice and Public Health.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Fairfield said: “I am delighted to accept the post of Chief Executive of The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. It is a fantastic opportunity to lead the organisation through a period of substantial development and transformation as it continues its journey to Foundation Trust status. I am proud to have been chosen to take on this exciting and challenging role and look forward to helping the trust deliver on its mission to provide the very best care, for each patient, on every occasion."

Trust Chairman, John Jesky, said: "On behalf of the Trust Board I am delighted that we have been able to attract and appoint Dr Fairfield to help us lead the organisation and our staff through the next chapter of our journey. Gillian has an excellent track record of achievement, having taken two Trusts to Foundation Trust status, and she brings with her a wealth of experience in the NHS in both clinical and senior management roles. I know she will draw on this experience and work closely with our senior doctors, Board members and Executive Management Team, in helping us lead our ongoing work in improving our quality of care, transforming the Trust to meet the needs of our patients locally, and in becoming an NHS Foundation Trust."