RUH Bath CEO set to retire

CEO, James Scott has praised and thanked staff for their working before and during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Scott, who was due to retire at the end of march, stayed on to support his ‘fantastic staff’ during Covid-19.

In a message to staff, Mr Scott said: “It has been an absolute privilege to be the Chief Executive here for the past 13 years.

“We have had some really challenging times, but we’ve also had some fantastic successes – and throughout all this the thing that has stood out for me more than anything else has been your dedication to our patients and to our community.

“I’m immensely proud of all you have achieved and all that you will achieve in the future.”

This year, Mr Scott will turn 60-years-old and has spent 36 years working in the NHS.

Over these years he has overseen major improvements at the RUH, including the achieving Foundation Trust status in 2014 and securing the future of the services of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in 2015.

Significant developments during his time at the RUH include building the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care in 2011, the new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre in 2019 and, coming soon, the new Dyson Cancer Centre.

Trust chair, Alison Ryan led tributes to Mr Scott. She said: “James’s departure marks the end of an era for all of us at the Trust.

“He has been a dedicated and passionate CEO – it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with him and every single person at the RUH wishes him a long and happy retirement and all the very best for the future.”

Deputy CEO Libby Walters said: “We’ve all benefitted massively from James’s leadership for 13 years but in particular over the last two months, as the Trust responded to the unprecedented challenges that the coronavirus crisis presented.

“So, thank you again James for everything you have done for the RUH, it’s been a privilege and a pleasure working with you. Your strong leadership has been an inspiration to so many of us.”