The merger of two Bristol hospital trusts into one organization moved a step closer today with the announcement of a joint chief executive to run both trusts.
The new chief executive, Maria Kane, will be in charge of both North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Southmead Hospital and other smaller centers in the north and east of the city, and the University Hospitals trust, which runs Bristol Royal Infirmary, the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Eye and Ear Hospital and Weston General in Weston-super-Mare.
The two trusts announced they were forming a “hospital group” in December last year and this is the next big step towards what looks set to eventually be one organization to run NHS hospitals in the city and the wider area.
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Maria Kane is the current Chief Executive of North Bristol NHS Trust and has been since 2021. She is also Visiting Professor at UWE and Chair of the Bristol Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre. Now he also takes over the management of UHBW.
The merger of the two organizations has already seen the publication of a “Joint Clinical Strategy” in March this year and the appointment of the same person – Ingrid Barker – as chair of both boards.
“Together, NBT and UHBW provide care for more than 1.5 million people, employ 28,000 absolutely brilliant staff and are responsible for NHS budgets totaling over £2 billion,” said Maria Kane. “As such, I am delighted and honored to be appointed as their joint chief executive at such an exciting time for two such fantastic organisations.
“Implementing a common clinical strategy and moving forward on our joint journey towards a hospital group has the potential to deliver much for all the people, populations and communities we serve.
“I am excited that it is only through collaboration and partnership that we can truly deliver on the core mission of the NHS: excellent care for every patient, based on need, not means. Both NBT and UHBW exemplify this mission with their unique strengths, diverse, vibrant cultures and incredibly talented people.
“By working in an even closer partnership and using their geographical proximity, they can build on what they have achieved so far and be even better together,” she added.
The organization of the NHS in the West of England is now increasingly centralised, with GP practices running under the Integrated Care Council, which brings together hospitals, local councils, mental health trusts and other agencies. This ICB now covers Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Its chief executive Shane Devlin said the “group model” for two major city hospitals was “exciting”. “The opportunities that the Group Model brings in terms of collaboration between our two Acute Trusts are exciting and will strengthen our health and care system for the people of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire,” he said.
“I am delighted that Maria has been appointed as Executive Director to lead this effort, her experience and commitment to partnership working is a force to be reckoned with and I look forward to working with her,” he added.
The move was backed by NHS South West Regional Director Elizabeth O’Mahony. She said having one person running both hospitals was “a big step forward”.
“Our hospitals in Bristol and Weston and their specialist staff play a key role in caring for people across the South West region,” she said. “I welcome Maria’s appointment to this joint role of Chief Executive, which brings her extensive experience, enthusiasm and commitment at this pivotal time in the NHS.
“This is a major step forward in the move to unlock even greater collaboration between services across both trusts to improve outcomes for patients,” she added.
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston Trust have since the departure of Eugene Yafele interim CEO, Prof. Stuart Walker. He will continue in his role until the end of August.
The woman who appointed Maria Kane, Ingrid Barker, said it was important to have one chief executive as the two hospital trusts became closer.
“I made the appointment of a joint CEO my top priority when I took over as co-chair,” she said. “Ensuring we have the right person with the right values, skills and experience is critical to the development of our future Hospital Group.
“Maria is absolutely the person as she brings experience, knowledge and skills that will take both Trusts forward on their journey together – not least because she has been an integral part of the Acute Provider Collaborative over the past two years.
“It was especially important to me that the joint CEO is someone who truly understands the benefits of partnering and who has an established track record of making large-scale organizational change in a collaborative, patient-centered way,” she added.