Manchester is home to the biggest NHS trust in the country, employing more than 28,000 people in the region. Today, the mammoth organisation's new leader is starting - a former nurse who worked at three Greater Manchester hospitals.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) runs 10 hospitals across Greater Manchester, including Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary's Managed Clinical Service, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Trafford General Hospital, Altrincham Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, Withington Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital.
In August, one of the most influential executives in England, Sir Michael Deegan, bid farewell to the leading role at MFT after more than 20 years at the helm, building the trust to the sweeping scale it enjoys today. On Monday, April 3, a new chief executive will start his tenure - after a long journey from starting as an NHS nurse.
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Mark Cubbon has worked for the NHS his entire career, joining as a nurse in Greater Manchester in 1992. He remembers his time training and working as a nurse at three of the hospitals he will now lead - Trafford General, Withington Hospital, and the MRI.
“There’s so much that has changed since I was a nurse here 30 years ago," said Mark. "However, despite the challenges facing the NHS, one thing which hasn’t altered is that every member of the MFT team is working incredibly hard to deliver the best possible care for our patients.
“When I’ve been out and about, meeting with colleagues before formally taking on the role, I’ve stressed the need to build on our existing support for our staff, who go above and beyond every day. I am keen to continue MFT’s reputation as an inclusive employer, embracing diversity and being guided by our values.”
Before coming back to Greater Manchester, Mark held a top job at the national branch of the health service, as chief delivery officer of NHS England. Going back further, he was chief executive at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, regional chief operating officer for NHS Improvement in the Midlands and East of England, and held several director roles in London NHS trusts, including Moorfields Eye Hospital, Whipps Cross and Barts Health.
The trust Mark will now oversee changed dramatically under the leadership of prior executive, Sir Michael Deegan, expanding to include hospitals like North Manchester, as well as building major new centres such as the children's hospital.
Now, he wants to make an impact back in Manchester. “I’m fortunate to be joining an organisation where world-class research and innovation means that we are securing early access to new medications and clinical procedures for our patients," continued Mark.
The incoming executive is pushing for diversity within his own workforce and without. In order to make Manchester healthier, city leaders must fix gaping inequalities, which see Mancunians die well before their time, make them more likely to suffer from major diseases, and limit their opportunities in life, he says.
"Our partnerships with the universities in Manchester are central to our ability to play a leading role in this area. Working together to tackle health inequalities is a shared priority for health and care partners across Greater Manchester.
"I am absolutely committed to ensure that MFT continues to play a key role in delivering improvements for our patients. In order to do this, it is hugely important that we further deepen our understanding of the needs of our diverse communities.
“I want to ensure that we build on MFT’s fantastic achievements by continuing to collaborate with our partners across the health and social care system, to create truly joined-up services where they deliver benefits to our patients.”
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