Chief exec to run hospitals across Leicestershire and Northants

Hospitals across two counties will now be run by one chief executive.

Richard Mitchell, who is already in charge in Leicestershire, has taken over the top role at the two biggest hospitals in Northamptonshire.

Kettering and Northampton General Hospital Trusts came together as a "collaborative" in 2021.

Mr Mitchell said he would work to "improve the health and wellbeing of patients and create better employment opportunities".

The appointment of Richard Mitchell is the next stage of a collaboration between the hospitals in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire which is designed to "strengthen clinical and support services and improve efficiency, productivity and quality", according to the three trusts involved.

The trusts in both counties jointly employ some clinicians and collaborate on research in areas such as cancer, respiratory infections and diabetes through the Leicester Biomedical Research Centre.

John Macdonald, who became chair of the hospitals in both counties earlier this year, said: "This is positive news for the three trusts.

"In an environment where we face unprecedented demand for our services, financial instability and challenges recruiting and retaining workforce, it is imperative we work together to deliver excellent care and improve the experience for both patients and colleagues in a more sustainable way."

Mr Mitchell, who also chairs the East Midlands Acute Providers Network, said: "I am excited to work with colleagues across the three trusts.

"We already work well together with jointly employed clinicians providing services to our shared communities. We will collaborate with NHS and local authority partners to improve the health and wellbeing of patients and create better employment opportunities across the region".

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