Trusts confirm new shared chief executive

Peter Lewis will lead Taunton and Somerset Foundation Trust and Somerset Partnership FT, which have both seen their chief executives move to new jobs this year.

In June, the trusts announced plans to set up a joint executive board. The board’s interim leader, Somerset Partnership chief executive Nick Broughton, is leaving next month to become chief executive of Southern Health FT.

Mr Lewis, who has held several leadership roles with Taunton and Somerset, has already taken up his position as chief executive of that trust, following the departure of Sam Barrell. He has previously been finance director, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive.

The two organisations aim to bring hospital, community, mental health and learning disability services closer together – for example by staff working in teams across both trusts.

Mr Lewis said: “I’m very much looking forward to leading the integration of NHS services.

“We can only give our patients the best possible care and experience if all our services work closer together.”

Stephen Ladyman, chair of Somerset Partnership, said: “Peter has excellent links across Somerset, including with GPs.

“We know people need services from different parts of the NHS but they don’t want to have to tell their story numerous times, or feel they are in danger of falling into any gaps between services.”

Examples of the trusts working together include:

• joining up the work of therapy teams for patients in hospital and at home;
• bringing more psychiatric support to Musgrove Park Hospital, the district general hospital run by Taunton and Somerset; and
• developing more integrated stroke care.

Mr Lewis will take up his new role on 1 November.