Congratulations to Bridget Lees who has been appointed Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Therapies.
The appointment brings Bridget, who was educated down the road from Southport hospital at Christ the King school, full circle.
She joined the staff in 1996 after three years’ training at the then Fazakerley hospital but where most placements were in the Southport and Ormskirk area. Over the next 19 years, she held a succession of posts starting in A&E, working in urology, breast care, colorectal and high dependency before 10 years with the infection prevention and control team.
Her final posting was as corporate matron during which time she oversaw the implementation of the VitalPac clinical observation system, one of the first installations of its kind the country.
“It’s a true privilege to be appointed Executive Nurse of the hospitals which serve my home town,” said Bridget. “It’s very personal too. There’s a lo
ng family history of serving the NHS in our local community as well as my family and friends using our services. It’s why my appointment means so much.”
Bridget left the Trust is summer 2015 to be a regional inspection lead for the Care Quality Commission. Later she became a head of nursing at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust where responsibilities included prison healthcare and a large inpatient mental health unit.
Her final posting before returning to the Trust last October as Deputy Director of Nursing was at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust where she oversaw 320 inpatient beds and urgent care as Divisional Director of Nursing for Acute Adults Services.
She has also completed an MA with the NHS Leadership Academy and was one of four North West candidates on the NHS aspiring nursing directors programme.
Reflecting on her appointment, Bridget said: “I have been very lucky to have worked alongside great people who have supported me and given me opportunities to develop myself.
“It’s always been my ambition to make a difference. For example, working in prison healthcare and mental health reinforced to me the importance of inclusiveness and accessibility in health care.”
Bridget succeeds Juliette Cosgrove, who has been appointed Chief Nurse of NHS Professionals, and leaves the Trust at the end of February. The Department of Health and Social Care owned agency works in partnership with hospital trusts to provide a bank of highly skilled temporary workers who want to work flexibly within the NHS. Working through the NHSP bank means hospitals don’t have to rely on expensive agencies.