‘I’m proud to have worked with you’: Hospitals chief Chris Long stepping down
PAID TRIBUTE TO ‘REMARKABLE’ COLLEAGUES: Chris Long, who is to retire from the NHS later this year
By Simon Bristow
Chris Long, the chief executive of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH), has announced his retirement.
The announcement comes ahead of a merger between the trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG).
Mr Long said he would not be applying for the new post of group chief executive and will retire later this year.
In an email to staff this morning, seen by The Hull Story, Mr Long said: “Dear Colleague, I am writing to inform you that after much consideration I have decided I will not be standing for the Group Chief Executive position. This has not been an easy decision but I feel that at the age of almost 63 I will not be able to provide the longevity in post that leading the transition of our two Trusts into a single group will require. I will therefore retire from the Trust and the NHS at some point later this year.
“I have been working now for 44 years – 12 years in the Army followed by 32 years in the NHS. Of all the jobs I have done, Chief Executive of HUTH has undoubtedly been the greatest privilege.
“The complexity of of our hospitals and the professionalism, both clinical and non-clinical, needed to run them and our services still amazes me. Every single one of you does the most remarkable work every day and you demonstrate a level of skill, teamwork, care and compassion which is humbling. In particular, your response to Covid was exemplary and you should feel proud of what you did during those challenging, uncertain and frightening times.
“May I wish you all the very best for the future and may I thank you for your efforts, commitment and achievements on behalf of all our patients. I feel very fortunate, and proud, to have spent the last nine years working with you. I shall look forward to watching the Trust and you thrive and prosper on the next stage of your collective journey. You are truly remarkable people working in an extraordinary place.”
In a statement on the trust’s website, Sean Lyons, chair at both HUTH and NLaG, said: “Chris Long has been the CEO of the Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust for almost nine years, providing clear leadership and guidance through some of the most challenging times that the NHS has seen and he has done this in a manner that has demonstrated his passion for patient care and his dedication to supporting staff.
“Chris has always demonstrated dignity and composure, and has been a great example of living the values of the Trust. It has been a pleasure to have worked alongside him in my time as chairman. He has been instrumental in helping us to progress our work towards developing a group leadership model for HUTH and NLaG and I respect and understand his decision to retire at this time. On behalf of the Trust and the board I would like to thank Chris for his service, and send him the very best wishes for his retirement.”
Mr Long is a former Captain in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and served in the First Gulf War and Northern Ireland during The Troubles.
Announcing the merger in a statement on its website yesterday, the trust said: “Changes are being made to the leadership of the two hospital Trusts providing services on the north and south banks of the River Humber.
“In November last year the boards at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust agreed to progress towards implementing a group leadership model which will see a joint executive team, led by a joint Chief Executive, oversee the management of the two organisations.
“Recruitment to this post is well underway and we expect to make an announcement regarding that appointment shortly.”
Peter Reading, chief executive of NLaG, has also announced he will be leaving at the end of this month to take up an interim chief executive role at another NHS organisation.