Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital announces her retirement
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive, Angie Smithson, has announced that she will retire in April.
After serving 36 years in healthcare, Angie joined the Trust almost three years ago and has since provided leadership throughout the pandemic.
Angie has also served as a member of the Destination Chesterfield board, helping to guide the strategic direction of the promotion of Chesterfield as a place to live, work, visit and invest.
Dr Hal Spencer, the Trust’s current Medical Director, will take the role in the interim before recruitment is expected to begin later in the year.
Angie said: “I can’t say enough about how incredibly proud I am of all our colleagues who make the NHS and Chesterfield Royal Hospital the place it is today.
“We have a caring and successful organisation and continue to recruit and retain some of the very best colleagues in the country. We are now setting course for the future with Joined Up Care Derbyshire and the establishment of the Integrated Care Boards, this provides a clear vision of the further ongoing improvements we want to make for our patients.
“Seeing that through is a long-term job and as my plan was to retire at this age, now feels like the right time to leave on a high. I will stay in position to provide a suitable handover and provide stability to the organisation that I am hugely proud of and I will be handing over to Dr Hal Spencer as the interim Chief Executive from 1 April. I know Dr Spencer will offer clear and compassionate leadership during these challenging times.
“It has been such a privilege to have worked in healthcare for the whole of my career and to have been the Chief Executive here at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. I have relished leading through these unchartered waters with a team that continue to go not only the extra mile but the extra marathon! You are a credit to the organisation, the NHS and the communities we care for. Thank you.”
Angie’s career started in nursing in 1986 and has since worked in nursing and midwifery, whilst completing her degree. She then moved into general management roles, completing an MBA and has served in Board Director roles in Foundation Trusts for the last 14 years.
During her time in charge, Chesterfield Royal Hospital was shortlisted by the HSJ for two years running for Staff Engagement and Freedom to Speak up, receiving highly commended accolades for both, has refreshed the Trust Five Year Strategy and also agreed and commenced the £24m Urgent and Emergency Development – all alongside managing the pandemic. The Trust is currently rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Dr Helen Phillips, Chair of the Trust, added: “We wish Angie all the very best for the future. Her leadership has been greatly appreciated during what has been an unprecedented period of challenge compounded by the effects of the pandemic.”
