New chief at hospital

Last updated 14:31, Wednesday, 16 July 2008

WEST Cumberland Hospital’s trust has a new woman in charge.

Ms Heatly replaces Marie Burnham at Whitehaven, who left the trust in June to take up a new post as chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Ms Heatly has been chief executive at Kingston Hospital NHS Trust in Surrey since October 2003 and overseen shorter waiting times and reduced hospital infection rates.

Ms Heatly started her career in the NHS more than 25 years ago. She spent most of her clinical career working in accident and emergency services in Glasgow before moving into hospital management in 1990.

Before joining Kingston, Ms Heatly was deputy chief executive and director of strategic development at Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust.

She said: “I am very much looking forward to taking on this exciting and challenging new role in North Cumbria.

“The trust’s staff have worked extremely hard over recent times providing high quality patient services during a time of unprecedented demand and change. We do have important challenges ahead, including becoming a foundation trust and managing our resources well and effectively.”

Trust chairman Mike Little said: “Carole has a proven track record as a chief executive and will bring a wealth of experience to the role. Her enormous commitment and drive will be essential as our own trust continues to build on its success and moves forward to becoming an NHS foundation trust.”