An open letter to our patients and communities

As the new chief executive officer of University Hospital Southampton, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself and to say what a privilege it is to be taking on this role.

While I may be new to this position, UHS is not new to me. Having trained and worked here as a doctor, researcher and clinical leader for much of my career, I have seen first-hand the difference this hospital makes to patients, families and communities across Southampton, Hampshire and beyond.

UHS is one of the UK's largest teaching hospitals, providing care for hundreds of thousands of patients each year. Alongside serving our local communities, we deliver specialist services to patients across the South of England and are recognised nationally and internationally for our research and innovation. Working closely with the University of Southampton and our partners across the NHS, we also play a leading role in educating and training the healthcare professionals of the future.

Leading this organisation, my focus is on continuing to improve access to care and the experience of our patients. This means working to ensure people are seen in the right place, at the right time, reducing delays where we can, and helping more patients receive the care and treatment they need as quickly as possible.

We know there are challenges facing the NHS, and there is no single solution. However, by embracing innovation, developing and implementing new ways of working and strengthening partnerships across health, care, research and education, I am confident we can continue to make a positive difference for the communities we serve.

What has already struck me since returning to UHS is the extraordinary commitment of our staff – a wonderfully diverse workforce made up of more than 100 different nationalities - and the quality of care they provide every day. Their skill, kindness and professionalism are the foundation of everything we do and the reason so many people place their trust in us at important moments in their lives.

As chief executive officer, I am committed to building on the strengths that make UHS such a special organisation, while continuing to improve the care and services we provide. I look forward to meeting patients, families, community partners and colleagues in the months ahead as we continue our work to improve care, experiences and outcomes for the people who rely on us.

Trevor Smith
Chief executive officer
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust