Published: 18/07/2001, Volume II2, No.5814 Page 9
Name: Jan Filochowski
Job: Chief executive, Royal United Hospital Bath trust
Style: Zero to hero.Our man's former trust, Medway, was starless last year.But with three months to turn the trust round, Mr F has done so well that he has been whipped out of Medway and into troubled RUH Bath to sort that out for the next six months.Perhaps a sign of hope for those whose trusts are without a twinkle this year.Oh, and he's media-friendly like you wouldn't believe - Medway's local papers were supportive at zero hour.Big swimmer - 'I did 1,000 metres this morning'- and learning Japanese to boot.
Likes 'pattern and complexity', but claims to be 'down to earth'as well'.
Background: Began with 10 years as a DoH civil servant in 1975, including work in then secretary of state Patrick Jenkin's think-tank.Was seconded to write a strategic plan for Bloomsbury HA in 1985, becoming a unit general manager in Southend in 1986.Went to Bart's in 1987, then became chief exec at Poole Hospitals trust in 1989.Fitted in a year's visiting fellowship at Harvard - 'tremendous'- then took over as chief exec at Southmead Health Services trust, Bristol, in 1998.Seconded to the NHS Executive to set up the NHS orthopaedic collaborative, since absorbed by the Mod Squad, in 1999.Took up post at Medway in 1999, moving to Bath on secondment last month.
Future prospects: Has spent his career 'fleeing the centre', so though sorting out RUH Bath would add extra kudos, he's likely to stay on the frontline, perhaps with a trek round the NHS's troublespots.
Relaxing or what?
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