North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) has appointed Helen Ray as its new Chief Executive.
Helen joins the organisation from Northumbria Healthcare, where she has been the Chief Operating Officer since that post was formed in July 2018, overseeing urgent and emergency care, medicine, child health and community services with Board level responsibility and emergency planning and preparedness.
Helen, who brings a wealth of knowledge and skill from across the NHS with 36 years’ experience, replaces Yvonne Ormston MBE, who left in May to become Chief Executive at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
NEAS Chairman Peter Strachan said:
I believe Helen’s experience makes her ideally placed to lead our service and work with our partners across the region to deliver high quality care to local people. I know she brings a passion for patient care and staff wellbeing, which are integral to our Trust values.
I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our interim Chief Executive Paul Liversidge, who stepped up from Chief Operating Officer following Yvonne’s departure and has given our service a steady transition and will continue to be a crucial part of our senior leadership team in the future.
Helen said:
I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to a high performing ambulance trust. I am keen to further support the staff in the great care that they provide.
I am also keen to explore how we can continue to further improve and develop services together with patients and other stakeholders.
Helen has previously been joint managing executive director (operations) for North Cumbria acute and community services; deputy chief executive for North Cumbria University Hospitals and Chief Operating Officer for South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust.
She trained as a nurse and has held a professional registration for 30 years.