14 September 2011
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Ruth Charlton and Dr Martin Stockwell as joint Medical Directors.
Ruth and Martin, who have both been Deputy Medical Directors for the Trust since May 2008, will replace Dr James Clarke, who has stood down following two serious illnesses.
Together, Ruth and Martin have served more than 32 years at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals and have 52 years of combined service within the NHS.
As joint Medical Directors, Ruth and Martin will be responsible for providing professional leadership and support to our 240 consultants and 400 doctors. They will also be responsible for overseeing our medical education and training, research and development, and our clinical governance (the way we maintain and improve the quality of patient care).
Chief Executive Matthew Hopkins said: "I am delighted to welcome both Ruth and Martin to their new posts. They bring with them a wealth of experience within the NHS and a fantastically detailed knowledge of our hospitals. They share an absolute conviction to making sure we do all we possibly can to improve the experience patients have in our hospitals, and will continue to play a key role as our hospitals move forward."
The decision to appoint joint Medical Directors was taken as a result of the work we are doing to get our hospitals to foundation trust status, which will see them de-merge and then re-merge with others. With this in mind, Ruth will be the lead for the Epsom Hospital site, whilst Martin will oversee St Helier (and Sutton). Having joint Medical Directors will help ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.
Ruth, a consultant paediatrician, has worked for the hospitals for more than 13 years. She said: "I am delighted to have been appointed as joint Medical Director. Although there are busy times ahead, we are deeply committed to ensuring that Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals continue to provide local people with the very best possible care."
Martin has worked for the Trust for 19 years and is a consultant anaesthetist. He said: "I am very pleased to have been appointed as joint Medical Director. I am very excited about the role, but do not underestimate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for us. Over the coming months, both Ruth and I will need the support of all our clinical and non-clinical colleagues."
Matthew added: "I would also like to reiterate my thanks to Dr James Clarke for all his help and support over the last two years as Medical Director. We wish him all the very best for the future."
Ruth and Martin will start in their new positions with immediate effect. As such, we will be looking to appoint a new Deputy Medical Director to work alongside Dr James Marsh (who was appointed as a Deputy Medical Director earlier this year).
