New boss takes over at troubled Norfolk and Suffolk mental health trust
She's the trust's sixth boss in just over five years
Last updated 2nd Nov 2023
The new head of Norfolk and Suffolk's troubled mental health trust has officially started her new job.
Caroline Donavan has taken over from departing CEO Stuart Richardson - she's a former nurse who was previously in charge of an NHS Trust in Lancashire.
She'll be the trust's sixth boss in just over five years.
The Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust has long faced criticism over it performance - with a recent review finding thousands of patients had died shortly after being discharged.
Now, Ms Donavan says she's focused on making major improvements: "I am delighted to join NSFT at such an important time for the Trust and the communities we serve.
"I am looking forward to engaging, supporting and developing our dedicated workforce so that together we can make further robust improvements to the specialist mental health services we provide.
“My mission is to lead our organisation to a position where we are improving mental health outcomes for all people who use our services by providing accessible, compassionate, person-centred care at every opportunity.”
Trust Chair Zoë Billingham said “I am delighted that Caroline, an experienced mental health chief executive, is joining NSFT.
"She has an excellent leadership track record, and I am confident that she will enable us to meet our ambition to provide highly accessible and consistently good specialist mental health services across our two counties.
“Building on the progress already made, Caroline will bring renewed focus and impetus to ensuring NSFT provides high quality, person-centred and compassionate care, while being a great place to work.
"I cannot wait to see the positive difference that Caroline will make in transforming NSFT, working with our excellent staff and system partners."