A CONSULTANT cardiologist who has worked at Stafford Hospital since 1995 has stepped into the breach to fill the role of Medical Director.
Current interim Medical Director, Robert Courteney-Harris, who was appointed as part of the hospital trust’s ‘memorandum of understanding’ with neighbouring North Staffordshire University Hospital Trust.
Chief executive Lyn Hill Tout told the Newsletter she was ‘delighted’ to announce Dr Paul Woodmansey, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, had been appointed through an internal application process.
“We are pleased to be able to appoint a very strong internal candidate to this key role,” she said. “Dr Woodmansey brings many years’ experience and knowledge of the Trust and the community to the post.”
She said Dr Woodmansey’s early appointment would ensure a smooth handover when Dr Courteney-Harris left in May.
Dr Woodmansey said he was under no illusions what taking on the role means at what he called ‘a challenging time’.
“But I am proud of the way the staff of this trust have responded to an extremely difficult period so that now Mid Staffs hospitals provide markedly improved clinical care,” he said. “I would like to use my experience to enable me to support the trust in continuing to improve and in building relationships with the local community, and especially forging stronger links with GPs.”
