New Chief Operating Officer 'with vast experience' joins Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) has appointed a vastly experienced new Chief Operating Officer.
Long-standing NHS leader Julia Nixon will bring with her extensive operational leadership experience from across the Yorkshire healthcare system and a strong track record of delivering high-quality patient services, improving performance and leading large multidisciplinary teams.
The Chief Operating Officer role is pivotal to the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care, overseeing the day-to-day running of clinical services while helping to shape the Trust's strategic direction and future ambitions.
Julia succeeds Russell Nightingale, who served as HDFT's Chief Operating Officer from April 2021 before taking up the role of Chief Delivery Officer at University Hospital Tees earlier this year.
"I am delighted to be joining Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and becoming part of an organisation with such a strong reputation for delivering quality improvement, high-quality care and putting patients at the heart of everything it does,” said Julia Nixon.
"I look forward to working with colleagues across the Trust, our partners and local communities to build on the excellent work already taking place.
"HDFT has big ambitions and it is a privilege to join HDFT at such an important time.
"I am excited about the opportunities ahead and I look forward to continuing to transform and develop services across the whole of the geography that HDFT covers."
The appointment of Julia Nixon further strengthens HDFT's executive leadership team as the Trust continues to enhance services and deliver safe, effective and compassionate care for patients.
Prior to joining HDFT, Julia was Associate Chief Operating Officer – Remote Care at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust for two years, where she led services supporting patients through innovative remote and urgent care pathways.
Before that, she spent 11 years at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, where roles included Clinical Lead for Transformation, Operations Director for Urgent and Emergency Care and Cancer Services, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer.
Jonathan Coulter, Chief Executive of HDFT, said: "I am delighted to welcome Julia to our Trust.
"She joins us with a proven track record of leading complex operational services."