NHS Mid and South Essex appoints new Chief Executive

Content originally from NHS Mid and South Essex

Experienced health care leader Tom Abell, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of NHS Mid and South Essex, following a competitive recruitment process.

Tom has a wealth of leadership experience across the local health and care system having joined the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) as chief executive in 2021 from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, where he was deputy chief executive.

Professor Michael Thorne CBE, Chair for NHS Mid and South Essex said: “I am delighted to welcome Tom back to our health and care system. Tom has an excellent track record of achievement in the delivery of outstanding patient care and the development of positive relationships with partners. I am confident he will use his knowledge, expertise and skills to help us meet our ambitions and challenges in the months and years ahead.

“I would also like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Tracy Dowling who has led NHS Mid and South Essex as interim chief executive since last November. In the short time I have worked with Tracy I have witnessed her excellent leadership and commitment to improving care in mid and south Essex. I wish Tracy all success for the future.”

Tom’s previous roles include deputy chief executive and chief transformation officer at Mid Essex Hospitals, Southend University Hospital and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals. He has also worked in commissioning at Basildon and Brentwood CCG and was director of service improvement at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

Tom said: “I’m delighted to be joining NHS Mid and South Essex as chief executive. I’m looking forward to working closely with our staff, stakeholders, partners and of course our patients to further develop and improve the care we provide.”

Tom is due to begin his new role from early August.