Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has chosen Felicity Taylor-Drewe to come in as its new chief operating officer (COO) in October.
Felicity will join from Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she also occupies the role of COO. Before taking up that role in August 2021, she was deputy COO and divisional surgery director at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Felicity will replace Sara Randall who is retiring next month, with Lisa Glynn – current clinical services director at OUH – to temporarily step into the void as acting COO before Felicity joins in the autumn.
"I'm looking forward to joining the team at OUH later this year, to support the operational and wider workforce in the ever-changing landscape of our NHS,” said Felicity.
"I am ambitious about ensuring local people get the care they need in the right place.
“This involves looking at how we can work more collaboratively with partner organisations, not only to provide quality care in hospital but also to support patients to return to their place of residence at the earliest opportunity."
On the appointment, OUH CEO, Professor Meghana Pandit, said: “She has a strong track record of leading teams in delivering clinical services and standards, so that patients receive high quality treatment in the most appropriate care setting in a timely way.
"She also has a clear passion for integration of services across organisational barriers, in order to improve care pathways for patients."
The appointment quickly follows the announcement that Simon Crowther will join the trust as deputy CEO at the end of September.
Simon currently holds both the deputy CEO and chief finance officer roles at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust.
After the announcement of his appointment last month, Simon said: "I'm delighted to be joining OUH at such an important time, and I look forward to working alongside the Trust's dedicated teams for the benefit of patients and local people.
"I hope to play a part in shaping how we deliver great care and improve health outcomes, and continuing to build the future success of the organisation together."
Image credit: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
