THE new boss of Warrington Hospital will become chief executive of the Bridgewater Community NHS trust as well.

Nikhil Khashu will formally take on both roles at the start of November.

It is part of the continued move to merge the two organisations, as reported in the spring.

Mr Khashu is taking over at Warrington and Halton Hospitals from Simon Constable who moved in the summer to North Midlands NHS Trust.

Colin Scales confirmed he would be leaving as chief executive of Bridgewater, which runs community healthcare in the area, also in the summer.

Joining the trusts on a two-year interim basis, Mr Khashu, who has lived in Warrington for 20 years, will be seconded from NHS England’s North West regional team, where he has been director of finance since April 2022. More recently, Nik has been working nationally as NHS England’s deputy chief finance officer.

Mr Khashu said: “It is a great privilege to have been appointed joint chief executive of Bridgewater Community Healthcare and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals.

“Both organisations provide excellent care to the many thousands of people across Warrington, Halton and beyond. They share a joint commitment and ambition to further progress health and care services within home, community and hospital settings.

“It is my ambition for us to continue improving these services and provide better care together for our patients and families.”

His joint appointment was formally agreed at a BCH Council of Governors meeting on Wednesday.

Karen Bliss is the chair of Bridgewater. She said: “Bridgewater has a much-deserved reputation for delivering high quality community services to the people of Warrington, Halton and further afield.

“Nik’s appointment as joint chief executive of our two organisations underlines our shared ambition to improve services within the communities we proudly serve.

“This is an excellent appointment and one we are delighted to now formally confirm.”

Steve McGuirk, chair of WHH, added: “I’m confident that Nik’s background and leadership style will be a huge asset to both organisations, as well as to the wider health and care system. 

“This is important as we navigate what will undoubtedly continue to be challenging years ahead across the NHS, and as we integrate our organisations.”  

Mr Khashu impressed at interview with an 'unwavering focus on quality, patient care and staff experience'. Having lived in Warrington for 20 years, the trusts say he demonstrated a very personal connection to the area and to community and hospital services.