New Chief Nurse appointed at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) has appointed David Melia as its new Chief Nurse.

David is currently Director of Nursing and Quality at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, a role he has held since 2015.

Originally from Liverpool, David is both a Registered General Nurse and Registered Nurse for People with Learning Disabilities. His main clinical speciality is neurology and neurosurgery and he has previously held Director of Nursing roles at The Walton Centre NHS FT and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS FT.

Sue Musson, Chair of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT), said:

“I’m delighted to announce the appointment of David Melia as our next Chief Nurse. Our newly appointed Chief Executive, James Sumner, joined the interview panel for this key appointment within the executive team. The panel was entirely confident that David is the right nursing leader for our Trust as we continue our journey of improvement towards delivering great care.”

Sir David Dalton, who is currently Interim Chief Executive at LUHFT, said:

“David was an exceptional candidate and I am delighted he is joining us as Chief Nurse. He demonstrated a real understanding of the opportunities for improvement we have at LUHFT, but also the important role the Trust will play in driving improvements more widely within the health system.”

David is due to start in post on 18 July. Until that point Dame Elaine Inglesby-Burke will continue as Interim Chief Nurse and will work with David to ensure a smooth transition into the role.

Speaking about his appointment, David said:

“I’m really honoured to be coming to LUHFT as Chief Nurse and to be working in Liverpool again. There is an amazing opportunity now the hospitals have come together to create a single organisation, which will play a critical role in the development and improvement of the wider local healthcare system.

I want our patients and local communities to have confidence in the quality of care provided in their hospitals, and for our staff to have a real sense of pride when they come to work. I look forward to joining the team and getting out onto the wards.”

Visit the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website here.