Dame Jackie Daniel has announced that she will step down from her role as Chief Executive of The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals later this year, a role she had held for over five years.
Joining the Trust in May 2018, Dame Jackie has steered the organisation through a period of unprecedented change and pressure, including through the covid 19 pandemic – a time when Newcastle treated the first patients with covid 19 in the UK, delivered world first research, led the successful regional vaccination programme and was proud to have some of the best clinical outcomes in the UK.
As the Trust emerged from the pandemic, Dame Jackie championed the development of a new Day Treatment Centre at the Freeman Hospital and opened the Northern Centre for Cancer Care in Carlisle. Work is currently underway on a new community diagnostic centre at the Metro Centre, in partnership with Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. These investments have helped to dramatically cut the number of patients waiting 78-weeks (by 84%) and ensure the Trust has the capacity it needs for the future.
Under her leadership, Newcastle Hospitals has continued to grow as a world leading research centre and Dame Jackie was one of the key proponents of our successful bid to gain prestigious Academic Science Centre status for the city.
Dame Jackie’s focus on building and enhancing partnerships resulted in the creation of ‘Collaborative Newcastle’ which brought civic and university partners together to improve health, wealth and wellbeing, and saw her serve as co-chair of the North East NHS Provider Collaborative and the Shelford Group.
She was also the driving force behind our commitment to the planet, as she led Newcastle Hospitals to become the first health organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Her continued leadership of the NHS sustainability agenda was recognised by her invitation to speak at COP 26 in Glasgow on behalf of the NHS.
Throughout her career, since joining the NHS as a student nurse in 1981 Jackie has always held patients and the quality of their care as her priority. As her career progressed from nursing, to being a ward manager, senior leader, director and Chief Executive, she has always strived to make a positive impact for patients, their families and local communities.
Dame Jackie said: “It’s been an incredibly hard decision to leave Newcastle, a job that I love, and an organisation that I have been proud to lead.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of this team over the last 5 years as we rose to the challenges of the pandemic and recovery, and tackled situations which none of us could have anticipated.
“However, I feel that it is the right time for me to step aside so that a new leader can become established prior to the review of the trusts long term strategy in 2024. My heart remains with the NHS and I look forward to continuing to contribute to it in different ways in the future.
‘I would like to thank every single member of the team who supports our patients so well each day. I am confident that the services we provide in Newcastle continue to be among the very best.”
Professor Sir John Burn, Chairman of the Trust said: “Jackie has been an inspirational Chief Executive, providing drive, energy and a clear focus on staff wellbeing and quality improvement which will continue to be at the heart of our strategy.
“I am extremely sad to see her go and will miss her wise counsel, drive, passion and innovation.
“Throughout her career she has placed patient care at the centre of each organisation she has led. She has worked hard to develop the culture of her organisations so that they are kind, transparent and accountable, never being afraid to challenge the status quo and breaking down many barriers.
“She has been a consistent and respected leader throughout her career and over many years has been recognised by her peers as one of the top NHS Chief Executives. She leaves the NHS a better place, and we are grateful for everything she has contributed.”
Dame Jackie added: “Newcastle Hospitals is a special place, serving over a million patients each year from across the whole of the North East, as well as providing national and international specialist care. As the NHS celebrates its 75th year, I know that this wonderful organisation will continue to flourish and will remain a jewel in the crown of the NHS and a beacon of good practice in the North East. “
‘As I move on and focus on new opportunities, I will always remember our achievements here, and the remarkable skill and compassion of the whole team.’
