New Chief Exec announced for Salisbury, Swindon and Bath hospitals

It's a familiar name for Salisbury District Hospital though

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 22nd Oct 2024

A new Joint Chief Executive has been chosen to run Salisbury District Hospital, the Royal United Hospital in Bath and the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

The NHS Trusts aren't merging, but bosses have decided to choose one overarching CEO to manage the hospitals and better serve the Wiltshire population.

The role's been given to Cara Charles-Barks - a familiar name for Salisbury.

She was at the helm of the District Hospital for three years, from 2017 to 2020.

Cara was awarded an MBE for services to healthcare, for her leadership during the Salisbury and Amesbury novichok incidents.

Since leaving Salisbury, she's been the CEO of the RUH in Bath.

Her new role will begin from Friday 1st November. She said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed Joint Chief Executive Officer of the three Trusts in Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire at this pivotal moment in the NHS’ history. As three Trusts we now have the opportunity to learn together, to tackle inequalities in access to services, to work together to remove barriers to good health and provide improved health outcomes for all our communities.”

Chief Executive of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, Sue Harriman, said:

“Cara’s appointment is excellent news for our three hardworking acute hospitals and our wider health and care system.

“True collaboration adds real value to patient care and all three hospital trusts have a unique role to play in strengthening the support that local people and communities count on at every stage of their lives. Under Cara’s expert leadership, our hospitals will be stronger together and I look forward to seeing the benefits of these new arrangements over the coming years.”

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