A NEW chief executive has been appointed to the helm of North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Catherine Beardshaw will take over the reins from acting chief executive, director of nursing Kath Holborn on Monday, July 31.

The trust has been without a permanent boss since October last year when former chief executive Ian Dalton left.

Ann Marr, chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust, temporarily stepped into the breach until April.

Catherine has 30 years' experience working for the NHS and is currently one of two directors of operations at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the UK's largest hospital trust. She is looking forward to working closely with staff, patients and members of the public.

Catherine, pictured inset, said: "Directors and managers at North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust remain in close contact with the delivery of patient services. This level of contact with the 'frontline' is the key to running a successful Trust."

She added: "North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust is performing well and is planning for the future.

"Last month alone it collected the CHKS Most Improved Hospital award and received high ratings from patients on the quality of services it provides through the Healthcare Commission's Inpatient Survey. The trust does face some challenges, which include ensuring that the health services it provides are fit for the future, and I relish the opportunity of meeting these challenges with my new colleagues."

Catherine is no stranger to consulting over changes to the health services and has already attended public meetings about Better Care, Sustainable Services.

She said: "It is vital that we listen to and consider the views of patients, staff and members of the public and take them into consideration when proposing changes to health services.

"Change can be hugely beneficial but it must be delivered sensitively."

sharker@guardiangrp.co.uk