THE NEW chief executive of University Hospital Southampton has been announced today.

Fiona Dalton, former deputy chief executive and chief operating officer at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), will take the position in November, following the departure of Mark Hackett in July.

It will mark a return to Southampton for Ms Dalton who spent four years at the trust as director of strategy and business development before moving to GOSH in 2008.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust's (UHS) interim chief executive Alastair Matthews will remain as deputy chief executive and finance director.

The trust runs Southampton General Hospital, Princess Anne Hospital and Countess Mountbatten House hospice.

Ms Dalton joined the NHS management training scheme after graduating from Oxford University with a degree in human sciences and began her career in hospital management at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust in 1996.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to be returning to Southampton. The staff at UHS do amazing work and it is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead the organisation.”

John Trewby, chairman of UHS, added: “Fiona was the outstanding candidate from a strong field of applicants after a rigorous selection process and I am delighted to welcome her back to UHS after a successful spell at Great Ormond Street.

“I believe her inspirational leadership, experience, values and strategic skills will complement the highly experienced management team to lead the Trust forward to the next level of improved service for our patients.”