Liverpool's main NHS hospital group has seen significant changes at the top of its organisation in recent months, with both its chief executive and chief finance officer departing.
Chief Executive James Sumner Leaves
In April, James Sumner announced he would be leaving his role as chief executive of the NHS University Hospitals Group (UHL Group), which incorporates Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Mr Sumner joined the organisation as chief executive of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in April 2022. He was subsequently appointed chief executive of Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Heart and Chest NHS Foundation Trust, and latterly as chief executive for NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group as the three trusts formed a group.
At the time of the announcement, Mr Sumner told colleagues: "It has been my absolute honour and privilege to have served as Chief Executive for each of the three Hospital Trusts and NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group.
"I am deeply grateful to every colleague for your incredible commitment, dedication, and hard work. Your excellence and desire to do better for our patients and support fellow colleagues has been the motivation for me each day of my four years. All the achievements and successes are down to your commitment to our patients.
"I believe that UHL Group has reached the next stage of its development, making it the right time to hand over to the next person to lead the organisation into the future."
Successor Appointed on Interim Basis
Mr Sumner said he would leave the organisation once a successor had been appointed. That successor has now been found in the form of David Loughton, who has taken on the chief executive role on an interim basis. Mr Loughton was previously the top executive at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust for two decades.
He said he was "incredibly proud" to be taking on this role, adding: "I am committed to providing visible, values-led leadership that supports our teams, strengthens delivery and builds confidence across the organisation. Working closely with colleagues and partners, my focus will be on maintaining momentum and delivering meaningful, sustainable improvements in both performance and patient care."
The recruitment process for a permanent chief executive of the group is underway.
Chief Finance Officer Also Departs
As well as the departure of its most senior official, the hospital group has also seen its chief finance officer, Robert Forster, move on. The ECHO understands he has moved onto another NHS role, with Jen Huyton taking on the position of interim group chief finance officer.
