The Isle of Wight NHS Trust will share a new Chief Executive with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust from 1st June, it has been announced this morning (Thursday).
As reported by Island Echo back in January, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust is merging – all but in name – with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
The partnership aims to bring the 2 neighbouring organisations closer together and will mean they can better respond to the challenges facing the NHS and the changing needs of the people they serve. This will build on the Acute Services Partnership that was launched back in 2020.
It has now been announced that Penny Emerit, Chief Executive at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.
Penny, an experienced and highly capable NHS chief executive, will lead both organisations from 1st June 2023 and will appoint a single executive team and clinical leadership across both Trusts.
Penny was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) in September 2022 having undertaken the role on an interim basis since March 2021. She has almost 20 years’ experience in healthcare at national, regional and local level, covering policy, regulation and service delivery with a credible track record of delivery across the NHS in London and the South.
Speaking about the news, Penny has said:
“I am proud to have the opportunity to lead two very special organisations. Very different in many respects but both with the same determination and commitment to work in partnership to provide the best possible care to the communities we serve.
Article continues below this advertisement “The two organisations have a long history of working together for the benefit of our patients and our work together through this partnership has further demonstrated the ambition and enthusiasm of our fantastic teams to continue to improve for the benefit of both populations.
“We have made good progress in our Acute Services Partnership, and I look forward to working with the local communities, health and care partners and the teams in both Trusts to sustainable clinical services. Working with experienced and strategic leadership across both Trusts and retaining strong, experienced site leaders in Portsmouth and on the island will be crucial to our success, ensuring both Trusts work at the heart of their local health and care system.
“Isle of Wight NHS Trust will continue as a strong partner in the Integrated Health and Care Partnership (IHCP) for the Isle of Wight and I am really pleased to have the opportunity to continue to work closely with Darren Cattell as he takes up his new role.”
Darren Cattell, who has led Isle of Wight NHS Trust for the last 18 months, albeit with some temporary leave, will join Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) as Isle of Wight Place Director, it has also been announced.
He will play a central role in the IHCP for the Isle of Wight, which brings together the providers of health and care services locally, ensuring services continue to improve and meet the changing needs of islanders.
Melloney Poole, Chairman at Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, has said:
“Strengthening the leadership of the NHS on the Isle of Wight will ensure that services continue to improve, are made sustainable, and that our communities are at the heart of everything we do.
“Penny’s appointment is good news for the island’s NHS, its patients, and staff. She brings with her a wealth of experience, expertise, and an overriding commitment to the continuous and lasting improvement in the services we provide for our patients, their families, our staff and our communities.
“I would also like to pay huge tribute to Darren Cattell, who with our partners has delivered so much for the Isle of Wight. A Good rating from the Care Quality Commission, improving staff survey results, and multi-million-pound investment in island services are testimony to the excellent work that has been done in recent years.”
I really wish her all the best, trouble is the whole NHS needs reforming so I don’t hold out much hope. No point chucking more money at a broken system!
This is fantastic news! Another highly paid, managerial job for someone who will contribute nothing but more paperwork to those lazy front line workers who sit around twiddling their thumbs all day.
And spend their time wrecking patient’s lives
Very true, the NHS staff use to be a calling, nowdays they are doing the
Role for the pay and the pensions.
They moan about pay, but they get so many discounts from numerous
companies which totals thousands of pounds a year in perks.
I’d like to hope that the services would improve, in line with Portsmouth and Southampton, but I’m sure our incompetent NHS ‘management’ on the Island will soon drum their uselessness in to her.
St Mary’s is not fit for purpose.