Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust has announced the appointment of Therese Patten as its new chief executive.

Therese, who is currently deputy chief executive and director of strategy at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, brings extensive Board level experience to the role, and 20 years’ working across community, mental health, acute and specialist healthcare in the UK.

In her current position, Therese has led both Trust and district-wide sustainability programmes, working closely with clinicians and key stakeholders.  She is also chair of a provider alliance that brings together 15 health, care and voluntary organisations, to provide a more integrated service and improved health outcomes for local people.

Therese joined Southport and Ormskirk from Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in 2016, and previously worked at 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Liverpool Community Health. She also spent a short period working in the private sector with GP provider companies.

Before joining the NHS in 1999, Therese spent nine years working in health development in Zimbabwe, Somaliland and Pakistan.

Therese Patten, said: “I am excited to be joining Bradford District Care Trust where I will be able to bring all my experience and learning nationally and internationally to the CEO role. I am passionate about inclusion and will continue to be a strong advocate for diversity for the staff, patients and population of Bradford and districts.”

Therese is a participant in the national NHS aspiring chief executive’s programme, run by the NHS Leadership Academy in partnership with NHS Improvement and NHS Providers.

Trust chair, Cathy Elliott, said: ”I’m delighted that we have appointed Therese to the role.  She brings a wealth of experience from a broad range of NHS settings, working collaboratively with health, care and community providers to drive service improvements.  I am looking forward to working with Therese, who joins a strong executive team with a collective vision of connecting people to the right care, when and where they need it.”

The Trust’s chief operating officer, Patrick Scott, will continue as interim chief executive until Therese joins the Trust in mid-September.