Chief Executive named for Liverpool’s ‘mega-trust’

A long-serving Liverpool NHS leader has been appointed as Chief Executive of the city’s new ‘mega-trust’.

Steve Warburton, currently Chief Executive of Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, will become Chief Executive of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The new trust is being created by the merger of Aintree and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Under the process:

• Steve will remain Chief Executive of Aintree University Hospital NHS FT with a view to becoming Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust from 1 September, until the merger. Steve would  then be the Chief Executive of both organisations.
• When the new organisation is created from the merger, Steve will be its Chief Executive.

The new trust, due to be created in October 2019, will be one of the largest teaching trusts in the country.

Steve said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking up the post of Chief Executive for our combined adult hospitals. I joined the NHS in 1989 as a graduate trainee, and 30 years on I’m so proud to have been chosen to lead our fantastic hospitals at this exciting time for Liverpool.

“Liverpool has been a national and international pioneer in many medical and healthcare developments. We will build on that superb history by bringing our adult hospitals together and using the combined strength of all our staff to improve healthcare for everyone in the city region.

“We have ambitious, clinically-led plans to create sustainable, high-quality services, and we will ensure that our patients benefit from world-class research programmes.

“My job will be to support our doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals and all our other staff to create the best possible services for our patients.

“In addition, we will be the city region’s biggest single NHS employer. We will use that position to offer opportunities to everyone who wants to work for the NHS. Having originally joined the NHS on a trainee programme, I have first-hand experience of how important it is to grow our future workforce, and develop our remarkable staff.”

The merger is due to take place in October, subject to approval by regulators.

Sue Musson, Chair of the Interim Board of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have appointed Steve as Chief Executive. The opportunities, and challenges, for the new organisation are significant. We will only succeed if we can work with all our staff and our partners across the city region. Steve is well-placed to ensure that we make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve healthcare for everyone.”