New chief executive announced for Colchester hospital trust

Frank Sims, new chief executive of Colchester Hospital University Foundation NHS Trust (Image: Archant)

Frank Sims, currently the chief executive at Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust, will take over the helm at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust (CHUFT) in early December.

The interim chief executive Dr Lucy Moore, who has run the trust since May last year, will continue in her role until Mr Sims takes over.

Hospital governors ratified the appointment last week and the announcement was made today.

Mr Sims began working in the NHS as a management accountant in 1989 and has held a range of posts within trusts and clinical commissioning groups since then.

He said: “I want to emphasise my commitment to the long-term success of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust.

“In recent roles I focused on developing organisational identity, culture and values as I see staff as the absolute key to success, both in terms of delivering outstanding patient care and in organisational sustainability.

“I am passionate about providing exceptional care and experience for patients. I am committed to support partner organisations develop vibrant and different ways of working to maximise clinical expertise and help build strong services across the health and social care economies.

“I believe I bring a blend of skills and expertise that will help the trust put in place continuous service improvement and effective operational performance as well as deliver strategic goals such as integration and sustainable growth.

“I have faced and successfully managed similar issues to those at the trust and this is part of the attraction of this job.

“I am pulled by the opportunity and the sense of determination to deliver positive changes, which I have no doubt that the trust will be able to achieve.

“The role is a huge opportunity to lead a unique organisation and I am excited by the prospect of being in this role.”

Colchester hospital trust has faced a number of issues over the past few years including the cancer waiting times scandal, which recently saw Essex Police close its investigation into.

Colchester General Hospital is also currently in special measures with the Care Quality Commission due to re-inspect the site over four days from September 15, and is facing a financial black hole.

Trust chairman Alan Rose said: “We had a strong shortlist of candidates and were pleased to involve a range of clinicians, managers and external stakeholders in the decision.

“We are excited to be welcoming Frank as we are close to completion of having a substantive Board of Directors, with the only remaining appointments being a workforce director and two non-executive directors, all of whom we plan to appoint in September.

“Frank’s background in the health service in the management of acute hospitals and in commissioning and community health services means he brings a strong reputation for staff engagement and collaboration with partner organisations – two traits that will be crucial to the strengthening of patient, staff and regulatory confidence in the care our trust aims to provide.

“He is extremely patient-focused and will help us secure the sustainability of the trust within the regional health service, building on the strong foundations that Dr Lucy Moore has put in place over the last 15 months.

“We have had significant operational and reputational challenges over the last 18 months. However, I would like to reassure people that a great deal of work has been underway across Colchester General and Essex County hospitals to improve quality and safety.

“With the appointment of a permanent chief executive and a clear improvement plan to address concerns raised by regulators, I believe we are starting to turn a corner in delivering safe, effective and personal healthcare for every patient, every time.

“I am very positive we can restore the confidence the public, our patients and our staff have in our organisation.”