Appointment of new Chief Executive announced
Holy Cross Hospital in Haslemere is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive who will take the hospital forward on the next stage of its journey.
Frances Campion-Smith will bring extensive skills and expertise to Holy Cross having been in the healthcare sector for over 45 years. She has worked in the NHS, charity and private sectors and has held a number of leadership roles throughout her career.
After securing her first executive role at the Royal Surrey County Hospital Foundation Trust in 1999, Frances Campion-Smith went on to become the Director of Nursing at Mount Alvernia Hospital before being appointed as Chief Executive Director. After four years, Frances secured a commercial role as a Regional Director responsible for four hospitals and a private patient unit in the NHS. From here she transitioned to the position of Group Director of Nursing and Patient Safety for the UK’s largest private health care provider.
In 2013 Frances Campion-Smith moved back to the NHS as Transformation Director at the Royal Free London NHS Trust. During her tenure, she managed the private patient services across three sites and successfully grew the business by adding an outpatient clinic in Harley Street and a new day surgery and endoscopy unit in Barnett.
For the past five years, Frances has worked at the Cleveland Clinic London. In this role she is the Registered Manager as well as being the Director of Acute and Ambulatory Care, Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Chief Nurse.
Speaking on behalf of the Trustees, Sister Veronica says: “As a hospital that specialises in caring for people with complex medical needs that have often been caused by an acquired brain injury or serious neurological condition, we are delighted to have Frances on board.
“She has a wealth of experience as well as the accolade of being the first nurse at Cleveland Clinic London to receive the prestigious Samuel Miller Award. This global award is presented to nurses in recognition of their exemplary skills, talents, expertise, commitment, and personal attributes and who promote and support healing for patients, families and colleagues. Frances’s proven track record demonstrates her shared commitment to our mission which is to serve people who are sick or suffering and their families.”
Speaking about her appointment, Frances Campion-Smith says: “I am thrilled to be joining Holy Cross and to have the opportunity to work with a highly dedicated team of healthcare professionals in an environment where care comes first, and everybody is treated as an individual.
“Holy Cross has a reputation for being a centre of excellence and I am very much looking forward to collaborating with patients and their families, staff, the Friends, and supporters in the community to ensure we continue to go from strength to strength.”
Frances Campion-Smith will officially start on 13 November 2023. She will initially work alongside the current interim Chief Executive, Christopher Hinton so as to ensure a seamless handover of responsibilities.
Holy Cross Hospital is owned by the Daughters of the Cross which is a registered charity for the promotion of healthcare and education. Further information about Holy Cross Hospital can be found at www.holycross.org.uk.