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New boss announced for Dudley's Russells Hall Hospital

Dudley's troubled hospital trust has appointed a new interim chair after the leadership was criticised by politicians.

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Dame Yve Buckland, inset, will take over as interim chair of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, main

Dame Yve Buckland has been brought in to help lead The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, following criticism of serious A&E failings and claims of bullying - of which it was later cleared.

The "experienced" health boss is currently chair of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) in Birmingham and is due to take the role for six months.

Dame Yve replaces Jenni Ord who said she was leaving in order to "regain a better work life balance".

Jenni Ord

Russells Hall Hospital's A&E department was rated 'inadequate' in a damning report by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last year, prompting MPs in the borough to call for Ms Ord to resign.

The trust was also rocked over claims of bullying by senior staff, sparking an independent investigation which cleared the trust.

The conclusion was labelled a "whitewash" by angry union bosses.

Dame Yve will now be tasked with helping to steer the trust in the right direction during her time in the role.

Under her leadership, the ROH has seen an improvement in its CQC rating from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’.

She was awarded DBE in 2003 for services to public health.

She said: "The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust has been a beacon of NHS provision not only in the West Midlands, but also nationally.

"I look forward to taking up the role of interim chair, and supporting the Dudley Group through the next phase of its development."

Lead governor Fred Allen said: "On behalf of the council of governors, I would like to welcome Dame Yve Buckland as our interim chair.

"She has come highly recommended and we wish her every success in this very important and demanding position.

"We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Jenni Ord who has been our chair for the last three years and wish her all the best for the future."

She is due to take up the role from May 20.

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