A new Chief Nurse has been appointed at Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) and has highlighted her aim to provide consistent high quality care for all patients and families.

Hazel Richards has joined the organisation bringing with her a wealth of experience having held several Executive Director of Nursing posts in specialist, acute, mental health and community Trusts, along with three years as the Regional Chief Nurse for NHS England, Cheshire and Merseyside.

With a strong track record of improving services for patients and staff, Hazel has a passion for patient and family centred care. She was awarded the Florence Nightingale Leadership Scholarship for this work.

Hazel said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chief Nurse at WUTH and look forward to working closely with my very committed colleagues at all levels. We will work together to provide the highest quality care that we can to our patients and their families.”

“WUTH is very much a family hospital as a large proportion of its staff live on the Wirral and have a real sense of ownership.”

Hazel has taken over the role after former Chief Nurse, Gaynor Westray, retired last year following a 35-year nursing career at WUTH.