Top mental health trust names new chief

South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust has given the top job to David Bradley, currently chief executive of South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust.

An announcement from the trust today said Mr Bradley would be joining the trust in July, when current chief Matthew Patrick is due to step down.

Recruitment is under way to find a new chief for SWLSTG, the statement added.

Mr Bradley has been chief executive of South West London and St George’s since 2012 and prior to this was chief operating officer for Oxford Health FT.

In a statement, he said: “I will work with staff from across the trust to look at how we can improve our services to deliver the very best patient care.

“There has been a tremendous amount of good work taking place under Matthew’s excellent leadership. We will build on this ensuring that we remain at the forefront of mental health innovation.”

SLAM chair Roger Paffard said: “As one of the founding CEOs of the [south London partnership of mental health trusts, Mr Bradley] will be able to continue to push our work together with Oxleas and SWLSTG continuing to make a real difference to how local people access and experience mental healthcare.”

He said Mr Bradley had given ”incredible dedication and commitment to the trust”.