Kevin McGee OBE has been appointed interim chief executive of the Northern Care Alliance (NCA), the NHS trust that runs Salford Royal Hospital, as it grapples with "significant challenges" over patient safety and official warning notices. He took up the post on Thursday (October 1), following the departure of Dr Owen Williams.
Mr McGee previously led Lancashire Teaching Hospitals before leaving the NHS to become director general of Gibraltar Health Services, the NCA said. He will remain at the Greater Manchester trust for at least six months while a permanent replacement is sought.
Challenges facing the trust
The NCA manages hospitals in Salford, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale, treating more than a million patients. His appointment comes as the trust faces scrutiny over patient safety, Care Quality Commission (CQC) warning notices, waiting lists and ongoing industrial action, the NCA said.
The Trust's own reports found lengthy delays were linked with "28 deaths" and 56 issues of "severe harm", while problems diagnosing illness led to ten deaths last year. There were also 10 "never events" recorded at the NCA across 2025 and 2026, which the NHS describes as patient safety incidents which were "wholly preventable," according to the reports.
CQC warning notices
The Trust has also been issued two Section 29A warning notices by the CQC in the past year. The first, in October 2025, was regarding surgical services at Salford Royal Hospital. Inspectors found "significant concerns relating to staffing and the systems and processes to identify and manage risks to the safety and quality of care received by patients". However, inspectors said the improvements they saw during their latest visit meant the service is considered to be complying with the notice issued in October 2025.
The second Section 29A warning notice was issued to NCA on August 13 after inspectors noted "significant concerns about the trust’s management of risk, patient safety, complaints, freedom to speak up processes and workforce wellbeing and inclusion". The NCA has acknowledged it is facing "several significant challenges", adding that Mr McGee's appointment will bring "stability and focus" to the Trust.
Leadership response
Announcing the new interim chief executive, NCA chair Sheena McDonnell said: "We are facing several significant challenges as an organisation. Some are complex and long-standing, and it is clear they will take sustained focus, stability and support to work through."
"They include the governance and assurance of patient safety, NHS England intervention, CQC warning notices, pressures on waiting times and financial sustainability, and industrial action. The Board is clear that we need experienced interim leadership at this time, alongside the continued support of NHS England and the CQC, to help us make the changes that are needed."
Ms McDonnell added: "We paused the Chief Executive appointment process so we could take stock of the challenges facing the Trust and review the leadership needed for the future. The Board is clear that the next stage of recruitment must be thorough, reflect recent staff feedback and staff survey results, involve stakeholders, and give us the best opportunity to secure the strongest possible candidates."
"That process has already started, but it will take time. In the meantime, Kevin’s appointment as an accomplished Chief Executive will provide stability and focus, and his experience, independence and fresh perspective will be important in helping us drive our improvement plans, engage with staff, and remain accountable to patients, stakeholders, NHS England and the CQC."
Background and transition
Mr McGee has worked in a number of NHS organisations and was chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals before moving to Gibraltar. He was awarded an OBE in 2022 for services to the NHS, particularly for his leadership of the Lancashire and South Cumbria healthcare system through the Covid-19 pandemic, the Trust said.
The appointment follows several months in which Suzanne Robinson, the NCA’s chief finance officer and deputy chief executive, has been acting chief executive. Ms McDonnell thanked Ms Robinson for providing "stability and direction" during what she described as a period of "necessary intense accountability and transition". She also thanked Juliette Cosgrove for stepping in as deputy chief executive and Asif Umarji for acting as chief finance officer.
Dr Williams announced in April that he would be leaving the NCA at the end of September. At the time, the Trust said he had played a key role in strengthening clinical leadership, service planning and delivery, and had helped stabilise the trust's financial position.
Dr Williams said: "It has been a huge privilege to lead the NCA. While I am proud of the progress we have made, it is the every day moments — meeting frontline colleagues, partners, speaking with patients and families, and seeing the dedication and compassion shown across our services — that I will remember and treasure the most."
"I know that my departure won’t hold the NCA back from looking ahead to the next phase of the improvement journey. The NCA’s wider leadership team are all focussed on bringing the best possible care and services for the communities we serve and I know the 20,000-strong team of caring and inspirational people working with them can more than rise to the challenge of delivering this."
