Ireland's chief information officer joins teaching trust

Richard Corbridge has been appointed chief digital and information officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and will take up his post on 20 November.

Leeds chief executive Julian Hartley said Mr Corbridge’s appointment was “a statement of intent” on the trust’s digital direction.

At a board meeting this week, Mr Hartley said: “Richard joins us at a crucial time as digital healthcare will increasingly enable our vision to provide the best specialist and integrated care for patients.

“That we’ve appointed a chief digital and information officer of Richard’s calibre is a real statement of intent by our board.”

The trust has a £1bn turnover and employs more than 17,000 staff. It runs Leeds General Infirmary, St James’ University Hospital, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Dental Institute, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Seacroft Hospital and Wharfedale Hospital.

Before joining the HSE in Ireland in 2014, Mr Corbridge was chief information officer at the National Institute for Health Research.

He headed the clinical research network responsible for providing information systems and business intelligence to NHS staff.

In 2014, Mr Corbridge was highlighted in an HSJ power list has one of the top innovators in the NHS.