A NEW leader has been appointed to lead the Alexandra Hospital into the future.

Penny Venables, currently chief executive of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham, will join Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alex, as chief executive in the new year.

She has held a variety of senior NHS posts over the past 10 years, including chief operating officer at Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust and director of operations at Birmingham Women’s Healthcare NHS Trust.

Harry Turner, chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Our top priority was to find an inspirational leader who will take the trust successfully into the future whilst ensuring the safest and highest quality services for our patients.

“Penny impressed the panel with her open and values driven leadership style, her determined focus on patient safety and patient experience, and her commitment to engaging staff and stakeholders in the work of the trust.

“Her appointment marks the start of an exciting new era – both for the trust, and the people of Worcestershire.”

Mrs Venables added: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed.

“The safety and quality of the services provided from the county’s three acute hospitals are very important to me as I have family within the county who use the services at each of the sites.”