Chinwag - Autumn 2019

Corporate news

Royal honour for our Chair Congratulations to our Chair, Christine Outram, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s first NHS trust in the country to receive back to back ratings of ‘Outstanding’ by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission.

‘Trek the Alps’ challenge, a breathtaking 46km trek

Chris Outram

Birthday honours list in June. The award is recognition for Chris’s huge contribution to the NHS over more than three decades, and the visionary leadership she has demonstrated, with more than 20 years experience driving improvements at an executive level. Chris joined The Christie in October therapy, a new outpatients facility and a state of the art Integrated Procedures Unit which improves patient experience and streamlines services. As Chair, Chris has steered the board in supporting The Christie to be the Congratulations to our Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Nursing and Quality, Jackie Bird who has been appointed to the role of Chief Nurse in the North West by NHS England and NHS Improvement. Jackie, who lives in Tintwistle near Glossop, took up the postition in September. Commenting on the appointment, Christie Chief Executive Roger Spencer said: “We are absolutely delighted that our Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Quality, Jackie Bird has been made Chief Nurse for the North West for NHS England and NHS Improvement. “Since taking up the role at The Christie in 2011, Jackie has made a huge impact at the Trust, helping us 2014. She has led the board in supporting the development of services including proton beam

through the Mont Blanc region of the Alps passing through Italy and Switzerland into France in just three days. Roger Spencer, Christie Chief Executive, said: “This is a thoroughly well deserved award, marking three decades of dedication to improving health and the NHS. Chris has played a pivotal role in supporting the transformation of The Christie from a centre of excellence for the North West into a world class cancer centre.” Chris is currently awaiting her invitation to Buckingham Palace where she will receive her honour from a member of the Royal family. of the Christie Quality Mark, which reassures patients they will receive the highest possible care wherever The Christie services are delivered. Jackie said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the Chief Nurse of the North West and look forward to working with the regional team and colleagues across the North West.” Julie Gray, current Associate Chief Nurse and Deputy Director of Quality, has become our interim Chief Nurse and Director of Quality. This will be for a period of six months while we undertake a recruitment process to make a new permanent appointment. Jackie Bird

Chris’s first role in the NHS was as a patient advocate, and she continues to be passionate about working with patients and clinical staff to provide excellent services and outcomes for people. She has encouraged a high level of patent engagement in all new projects and service developments at The Christie and was an early advocate of Twitter to encourage patients and staff at the Trust to share their feedback and raise issues of importance. The Christie charity has also found a passionate champion in Chris. She has supported many charitable events and has just taken part in the charity’s become the only specialist trust in the country to be awarded ‘Outstanding’ status by the Care Quality Commission twice. “Jackie has a wealth of experience in nursing and this has been acknowledged in a number of awards she has won during her career. We are extremely proud that she has been chosen for such a high profile role and wish her every success. At The Christie we are proud of the calibre of staff we employ, many of who are leaders in their field and Jackie exemplifies the drive for improvement and excellence which underpins The Christie’s status as one of the leading hospitals in the world for cancer treatment and research.”

Chief Nurse Jackie

At The Christie, Jackie was instrumental in the creation

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