A HOSPITAL boss has been chosen for a key regional NHS role.

Mel Pickup, chief executive of Warrington and Halton Hospital’s chief executive has been appointed as lead for the Cheshire and Merseyside Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP).

She takes over from Louise Shepherd, chief executive officer at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on Monday November 18.

Ms Pickup will undertake this role in a part time capacity, alongside her chief executive officer and accountable officer role at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Current medical director Professor Simon Constable will become full-time deputy chief executive for the duration of Ms Pickup’s appointment (12 months in the first instance) and will step-back from his medical director portfolio.

Dr Alex Crowe, currently deputy medical director will become acting medical director for this period.

The trust will be seeking expressions of interest to support Dr Crowe’s position as deputy medical director.

Chief Nurse Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson take on the role of director of infection prevention and control previously held by Prof Constable.

Ms Pickup has been chief executive at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2011. Prof Constable has been Medical Director at the Trust since 2015.