York Hospital appoints new boss after lengthy search

Simon Morritt has been announced as the new chief executive at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

He is currently chief executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and has more than 25 years experience in the NHS, having started as a general management trainee in Greater Manchester in 1989.

Mr Morritt is a replacement for Patrick Crowley, who stepped down in York soon after announcing his retirement last May.

Despite a lengthy recruitment process, an interview panel in September was not able to find a suitable candidate and re-advertised the role last month.

Mr Morritt said: “I am delighted to be joining York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and look forward to working with staff across the organisation who are clearly caring and committed to doing the best for patients across North and East Yorkshire.”

Mr Morritt was appointed chief executive at Doncaster Central Primary Care Trust in October 2000 and he was appointed chief executive of the former Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (now NHS Bradford and Airedale) in October 2006.

Following his time in commissioning organisations he became chief executive of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Deputy chief executive Mike Proctor had served as an interim replacement since Mr Crowley's retirement.

Susan Symington, chair of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am pleased and proud to make this appointment, confident that Simon will provide excellent leadership for our Trust. Simon joins us at an important time as we work towards building sustainable solutions to the challenges we face, as well as building on our many areas of strength. His commitment and experience will help us to strengthen our partnerships across the healthcare community in readiness for the ambitious plans we will deliver together.

“Simon will succeed current chief executive Mike Proctor, who has given more than 40 years of dedicated service to the NHS.”