Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust (SaTH) has announced the appointment of Jo Williams as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective September. Williams, who currently serves as the CEO of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, will take over the role following the departure of Louise Barnett, who has led the Trust for over four years.
Barnett’s tenure saw significant challenges, including the Trust’s response to the Ockenden maternity review and efforts to reorganize services across Telford and Shrewsbury. Recently, SaTH has faced scrutiny following a Channel 4 documentary highlighting failings in its A&E department.
Williams brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in healthcare management, which the Trust hopes will drive continued improvement. “The Trust has been on a journey of improvement over the past four years, and I am keen to accelerate progress,” Williams stated. She acknowledged the ongoing pressures faced by staff and expressed enthusiasm for the “exciting transformation work” currently underway.
The Trust’s transformation plans, approved in May, will see the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) specialize in planned care, while the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) focuses on emergency care. Additionally, the Care Quality Commission recently upgraded the Trust’s overall rating from inadequate to requires improvement, with maternity services in Shrewsbury receiving a rating of good.
Under Barnett’s leadership, the Trust has implemented 195 of the 210 actions recommended in the Ockenden report, with ongoing efforts to address the remaining items.
