Media Release
Date: 4 October 2021
RUH Chief Executive praises staff on her one-year anniversary
The Chief Executive of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust has praised staff for their outstanding response to the pandemic during her first 12 months at the Trust.
Cara Charles-Barks, who joined the Trust as CEO in September 2020, said it had been a "phenomenal experience" for her and an extraordinary year at the hospital.
She said: "I have been so proud to see how our teams have continued to respond to COVID-19 and, by supporting each other, to provide a consistently outstanding experience for those patients needing our day to day care and services.
"My thanks also go out to all our healthcare partners and, particularly, our community for all your support during these unprecedented times that have seen such a demand on services."
Ms Charles-Barks said that, despite those demands, the Trust remains ambitious with plans to further improve facilities and services.
She said: "Work is now well underway on our new Dyson Cancer Centre, which will provide a therapeutic environment focused on patient care and experience.
We are also launching our clinical strategy and will engage with our community to help shape and design the RUH." Ms Charles-Barks, who began her nursing career in Australia as a registered nurse, said that values were a key focus for the Trust.
She said: "We are creating a culture of equality, diversity and civility in our workforce as the bedrock for making every day an exceptional experience for those working here and those needing our care.
"COVID-19 is not over and the coming months into winter are likely to bring challenges. Therefore we will be maintaining our rigorous infection protection control measures, like wearing a mask and social distancing, in line with national guidance for healthcare settings, and supporting our staff and community to have access to a vaccine via our large vaccination centre at the Bath Racecourse.
"Despite the challenges, this is a job that I love and I feel privileged to do. I am excited about our future as we head towards our ambition of being a truly exceptional organisation for all the people we serve."
ENDS