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Local Nursing Director retires after 37 years’ NHS service
Michelle Greatorex, Director of Nursing and Quality at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, retires this week after a career spanning almost four decades.
She joined the Health and Care Trust in 2016 following a wide ranging career which began as a student nurse in 1985. As the most senior nurse for the Trust, Michelle has been responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of the care the Trust provides across its varied portfolio. During her time, many of the Trust’s services have received national acclaim, while its community hospital leadership team, dental service, and children’s mental health services have been rated Outstanding by the CQC.
In more recent times, Michelle has been at the forefront of the local vaccination programme, and has led the infection, prevention and control response across the Trust which was tasked with keeping staff and patients safe from COVID-19.
Michelle has also been key to the launch and development of the local Nursing Associate programme which has supported over a hundred local people to become registered nurses, and she has been a driving force behind the establishment of the Trust’s BAME staff network which represents colleagues working in the Trust from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background.
Sarah Dugan, Chief Executive at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “Michelle’s contribution to nursing over the course of her long and varied career has been outstanding and she has been an absolute credit to her profession. More recently, her leadership with the Trust has supported individuals on their own career journeys, and also ensured we are able to provide the very best and safest care we can to the people of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
“Michelle’s commitment and dedication during the pandemic has also been immeasurable, and that commitment has without doubt played a significant part in ensuring services remain safe and accessible despite the many challenges we have experienced. I know she will be really missed, but we all wish her the very best in her retirement and thank her for the enormous contribution she has made to our health service.”
Natalie Willets has been appointed as the Trust’s new Director of Nursing and Quality and starts in post on Friday, April 1st. Natalie joins us from Birmingham and Solihull NHS Foundation Trust.
The Health and Care NHS Trust run Worcestershire’s community services (including community hospitals, community nursing / therapy teams, children’s services, sexual health, and community dental care), as well as providing mental health/learning disability provision across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.