New Chair of the Board outlines her key priorities for the Countess

Ms Hannah replaces Sir Duncan Nichol CBE, who stepped down as Chair last month after seven years in the role. She will be responsible for leading the Trust’s Board of Directors and Council of Governors, in helping to set the strategic direction of the Trust.

A former Chief Executive of Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority, Hannah will bring over four decades of experience in NHS Management to the role. The Countess will also benefit from the fact she has worked both as Chair of the CWICP and as a Non-Executive Director at the Trust since 2018.

Chair of the Board of the Trust, Chris Hannah said:

“I am delighted to start in my role as Chair at the Countess. While the situation is not how I had envisaged it would be when I was appointed, I am determined that we maintain the excellent levels of care we provide to the residents of West Cheshire and Flintshire.

As a Trust it is vital that we address the risks relating to Covid-19, while we prepare for what we expect will be the peak over the comings weeks, such as the financial pressure it is creating; nursing reskilling and recruitment; and medical and support staff arrangements.

Equally, we must continue to provide high-quality care to all patients with other conditions such as cancer and to the people who are still being treated or followed up as outpatients through digital means. At the same time, maintaining the strong performance of our Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department over what is usually a difficult period even under normal circumstances.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our staff for the ongoing hard work they are doing. I am immensely proud of the way they have responded to the current situation and the fantastic care they are continuing to provide to our patients.”

Chief Executive of the Countess of Chester Hospital, Dr Susan Gilby said:

“On behalf of the Countess of Chester Hospital, I would like to welcome Chris to her position as Chair of the Board. Her experience and expertise during this period will be invaluable as we look to respond to and manage the current situation in the most effective way. Once again, I would like to thank all of our incredible staff for their vital work at this time.”