Avon and Wiltshire appoints new chief executive

Mr Tulley will join in mid November, replacing Laura McMurtrie who resigned in June ahead of the publication of a report criticising the trust’s culture and leadership.

The trust has faced a difficult few years with a number of critical reports into homicides committed by patients under its care and NHS Bristol deciding to put services worth around a third of AWP’s turnover out to tender.

Mr Tulley, who began his career as a mental health nurse in Scotland, has 11 years experience as a chief executive. He has worked in the Department of Health and has been involved in the development of the national service framework for mental health services.

He said: “One of my immediate priorities will be to engage with our clinical and non-clinical staff, commissioners, partners in social care and other stakeholders to agree our shared vision for mental health services in Avon and Wiltshire.”

“We need to build on current strengths and move forward with a renewed sense of clarity and common purpose to ensure we deliver a better and more coherent set of services to those we are here to serve.”

Acting chief executive Paul Miller will return to his role as director of finance and deputy chief executive.