October 16, 2013 10.00 am This story is over 125 months old

Lincolnshire hospitals trust chairman to retire

Retirement plan: Paul Richardson, the chairman of ULHT, will retire from the role this December after just over four years.
Chairman Paul Richardson

The chairman of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) is retiring from the role after four and a half years.

Paul Richardson will formally step down in December 2013.

The Trust will begin looking for a new chairman from October 17, with interviews for the role planned for the end of November.

Paul Richardson said: “Being the Chairman of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

“Nothing is more inspiring than hearing grateful patients praise the quality of our care, or meeting the fantastic staff who work so hard to deliver it.

“It has been a challenging but exciting journey and I have thoroughly enjoyed my role, which is why I have already served longer than the usual term.

“However, I always intended to retire at the end of 2013 and I feel that it is now time for me to pass on the baton to someone new.”

Paul Richardson has seen both highs and lows of the Trust’s performance and facilities.

These include the opening of Lincoln County Hospital’s new heart centre, which uses some pioneering techniques to help people who are suffering cardiac arrest, and Pilgrim Hospital becoming the top-performing hospital in England and Wales for treating hip fractures.

However, he also oversaw the Trust before and during the Keogh Review, in which ULHT was one of 14 trusts reviewed due to its higher than the national average mortality rates.

After the initial review, ULHT was placed into “special measures”, and has just six months to show improvements within its services.

Chief Executive, Jane Lewington added: “It has been an immense pleasure to work with Paul, who has fulfilled his role with considerable skill, experience and passion.

“We still have a lot of work to undertake before the end of the year and Paul will remain in post to support the board and whole trust as we continue collectively to realise the tremendous potential of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.”