JOINT leadership arrangements for Warrington’s two NHS health trusts were announced today.
Nikhil Khashu was appointed as new chief executive of Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) earlier in the summer.
Today it was confirmed that he would also become chief executive of Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust from November 1
Plans to integrate the two organisations are progressing well and Nik will be joining the trusts on a two-year interim basis.
He will be seconded from NHS England’s North West regional team, where he has been director of Finance since April 2022. More recently, Nik has been working nationally as NHS England’s deputy chief finance officer. His previous experience includes executive director roles at provider organisations Calderstones and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals.
From a very strong field of candidates, Nik’s unwavering focus on quality, patient care and staff experience shone through. Having lived in Warrington for 20 years, he demonstrated a very personal connection to the area and to the community and hospital services.
He said: “It is a great privilege to have been appointed joint chief executive of Bridgewater Community Healthcare and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals.
“Both organisations provide excellent care to the many thousands of people across Warrington, Halton and beyond. They share a joint commitment and ambition to further progress health and care services within home, community and hospital settings.
“It is my ambition for us to continue improving these services and provide better care together for our patients and families.”
Karen Bliss, chair of Bridgewater said: “Bridgewater has a much-deserved reputation for delivering high quality community services to the people of Warrington, Halton and further afield.
“Nik’s appointment as joint chief executive of our two organisations underlines our shared ambition to improve services within the communities we proudly serve.
“This is an excellent appointment and one we are delighted to now formally confirm.”
Steve McGuirk, Chair of WHH, added: “I’m confident that Nik’s background and leadership style will be a huge asset to both organisations, as well as to the wider health and care system.
“This is important as we navigate what will undoubtedly continue to be challenging years ahead across the NHS, and as we integrate our organisations.”