Chief Executive named for soon-to-be merged Liverpool hospital trusts

Steve Warburton, currently Chief Executive of Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, will become Chief Executive of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The trust is being created by the merger of Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust. The new trust, due to be created in October 2019, will be one of the largest teaching trusts in the country.

The intention is that Steve would also become Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust from 1 September, until the merger. Steve would then be the Chief Executive of both organisations.

Steve, who became Aintree’s Chief Executive in April 2015, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking up the post of Chief Executive for our combined adult hospitals.  I joined the NHS in 1989 as a graduate trainee, and 30 years on I’m so proud to have been chosen to lead our fantastic hospitals at this exciting time for Liverpool.

“Liverpool has been a national and international pioneer in many medical and healthcare developments. We will build on that superb history by bringing our adult hospitals together and using our combined strength to improve healthcare for everyone in the city region.

“We have ambitious, clinically-led plans to create sustainable, high-quality services, and we will ensure that our patients benefit from world-class research programmes.

“My job will be to support our doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, and all our other staff, to create the best possible services for our patients.

“In addition, we will be the city region’s biggest single NHS employer. We will use that privilege to offer opportunities to everyone who wants to work for the NHS. Having originally joined the NHS on a trainee programme, I have first-hand experience of how important it is to grow our future workforce, and develop our remarkable staff.”

The merger is due to take place in October, subject to approval by regulators.

Sue Musson, Chair of the Interim Board of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have appointed Steve as Chief Executive. The opportunities, and challenges, for the new organisation are significant. We will only succeed if we can work with all our staff and our partners across the city region. Steve is well-placed to ensure that we make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve healthcare for everyone.”