Glenn Douglas to split time equally between two organisations

It has been announced that Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive, Glenn Douglas, will be seconded part time to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to lead them following the departure of their Chief Executive.

The Kent hospitals Trust which comprises Maidstone, Pembury and Tunbridge Wells hospitals, has been faced with some tough challenges.   NHS South East Coast – the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) which oversees NHS activities on behalf of the Department of Health across Kent, Surrey and Sussex – has asked Glenn to spend some time at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to assist them.    Making the announcement SHA Chief Executive Candy Morris said: “Over the summer I visited Ashford and St. Peter’s hospitals and was impressed by the transformation achieved by the staff, volunteers and patient involvement groups under the leadership of Glenn.  I therefore welcome his agreement to assist Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.   I recognise that this is a busy time for Ashford and St. Peter’s with the merger discussions underway withFrimley Park, however Glenn has exactly the type of experience that I believe Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells need at this difficult time for them and I am confident that a strong and vibrant Trust like Ashford and St. Peter’s will be able to support Glenn in the months ahead when he is leading both organisations.”

Glenn takes to the Kent Trust the experience he has gained since he joined Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals in July 2002.   At that time Ashford and St. Peter’s was a zero starred franchised Trust with a substantial deficit.   By 2005 the Trust was rated three stars (highest possible) and in 2006 the Healthcare Commission rated the quality of services as ‘Good’.   In 2006/07 the Trust generated a surplus of £1.1m.    Developments at Ashford and St. Peter’s over the last five years have included reconfiguration of services between the two hospital sites; two new wards, a new Walk-in Centre, a Rapid Access Centre, new Surgical and Medical Assessment Units, a £2.5m refurbishment of Neonatal Intensive Care, the building of several new operating theatres and improvements in the control of infections.

Commenting on the secondment Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals Trust Chairman, Clive Thompson CBE said: “The Trust Board has agreed to Glenn splitting his time equally between Ashford and St. Peter’s and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.  The timing is not of our choosing but it is important that our success and experience at Ashford and St. Peter’s benefits others in the NHS and I am pleased that we are able to respond to this request for help.

“We have agreed that Glenn will continue his commitment to Ashford and St Peter’s and will take the lead on the merger discussions with Frimley Park which are continuing on positive lines.    Paul Bentley – who is currently Joint Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Human Resources – will take on Glenn’s overall responsibility as Acting Chief Executive for day to day management of the Trust.   Dr Mike Baxter – who is currently Joint Deputy Chief Executive and Medical Director – will continue to lead on developing the clinical service model for a possible merger between Ashford and St. Peter’s and FrimleyPark.   He will also take on responsibility for developing the clinical basis for the business case for a possible merger.   We have a strong leadership team at Ashford and St. Peter’s which will require commitment and focus from everyone during the coming months as we forge our own direction and support another Trust.  I am confident that we have the resources, skills and ability to make another significant contribution to patient care and the NHS both locally and further afield.”

Paul Bentley joined Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals in July 2006 having previously been at Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust including a period as Acting Chief Executive in 2003 and 2004.  He has worked in the health services since 1987, initially in central London teaching hospitals before working across a range of community and acute areas.    Dr Mike Baxterwas appointed Medical Director at Ashford and St. Peter’s in 2002 and is a Consultant Diabetologist.

Commenting on his joint role Glenn Douglas said: “I am confident that the team at Ashford and St. Peter’s will be able to manage and develop the Trust and its services whilst I am assisting Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.   But I am not leaving the Trust.  I have agreed to assist the Kent hospitals trust in the knowledge that we have built a strong team and organisational structure at Ashford and St. Peter’s which does not rely on one individual but is a true team effort.    I will continue to be based at Ashford and St. Peter’s for half my time and I will be focussing my efforts on the possible merger with Frimley Park.”

Mr Douglas continued: “With Frimley Park we are continuing to develop the clinical model and business case for a new organisation which we hope to share with partner agencies and patient involvement groups in the next couple of months.    We are putting a lot of effort into making sure the proposal is right for patients, staff, the two organisations and the wider NHS before public consultation starts and I am committed to remaining fully involved in this process.”