October 25, 2018 6.40 pm This story is over 65 months old

Lincolnshire hospitals boss to retire ahead of major services shakeup

Three troubled years in charge

UHLT Chief Executive Jan Sobieraj

Jan Sobieraj, the chief executive of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, is set to retire next year.

The announcement comes as the trust, still in special measures due to being ranked inadequate by the CQC, is set to unveil a radical sustainability and transformation plan in 2019.

He has been in the role for three years, time in which services have been strained due to staff shortages and financial restraints.

During his time in charge, Lincolnshire hospitals failed to achieve the A&E waiting times targets and the A&E at Grantham has also been closed overnight.

ULHT Director of Finance Karen Brown is also set to retire next year. The trust has racked up a deficit of over £48 million for the first six month of 2018. In 2017 the trust had an £82.4 million deficit.

ULHT Chair Elaine Baylis said: “Our Chief Executive Jan Sobieraj has announced his intention to retire next year.

“Jan has spent the last three years of his 40 year managerial career here at ULHT, and feels that as the Trust will be entering its next phase of transformation next year now is the right time for him to retire.

“There is no doubt that Jan has brought a fantastic degree of energy and ambition into the Trust and, as a result, in 2019 we expect to be well placed to exit quality and financial special measures.

“I would like to thank Jan for the drive, determination and the unrelenting personal commitment he has made in leading our Trust during a period of unprecedented demand.

“As Jan wishes to ensure a smooth transition for his successor, we have not yet set exact date of his departure but it is expected to be in Spring 2019.”

Jeff Worrall, regional delivery and improvement director at NHS Improvement, said:

“Jan has brought dedication and expertise to his role at the Trust, and NHS Improvement would like to thank him for his contribution.

“He has led the Trust through some difficult challenges, and his commitment to improved services for patients has always been clear. We wish him all the best for his retirement.”