A NEW Chief Nursing Officer has been appointed at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (RBFT).

Eamonn Sullivan, who was previously Chief Nurse at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed Chief Nursing Officer at the RBFT.

He replaces Caroline Ainslie who retired last week after nine years at the Trust.

He joins the Trust as it continues with its ambitious programme of renewal, recovery and redevelopment of the Royal Berkshire Hospital site in Reading.

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Trust Chief Executive Steve McManus said: “Firstly I’d like to pay tribute to the fantastic work Caroline Ainslie has done with the Trust over the last nine years.

"She’ll be a very hard act to follow but I know the extensive experience, expertise and knowledge Eamonn brings to the role will be invaluable to us as we continue and develop the work being done here.

"He joins us at a critical time and he’ll play a key role in helping us shape the future direction of our work to make sure we are providing our patients and staff with the very best modern, cutting edge facilities and services.”

Eamonn added: “There’s a real appetite for progress and development at the RBFT and this, coupled with the Trust’s great work around staff inclusivity, wellbeing and achievement makes it a really great place to be.

"I’m looking forward to working with the Trust teams to further enhance and expand the healthcare services being provided for the local community.”

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Eamonn was at the Royal Marsden for four years and last year was seconded to be the Director of Nursing at the NHS Nightingale London and later in the year Chief Nurse (Testing) at NHS Test & Trace.

He is also a Reservist in the Army Medical Services and has served as a Nursing Officer in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Days before taking on his new role, he was awarded an MBE for his services to nursing. And before Caroline left the Trust she received a Gold Award for nursing excellence from the Chief Nursing Officer of England Ruth May.