RD&E chief executive steps down

RD&E Chief Executive Angela Pedder OBE is to move into a new role this summer after leading the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust for almost 20 years.

Angela is to become the Lead Chief Executive for the new collaborative NHS Success Regime programme in Northern, Eastern and Western Devon.

In this role, Angela will lead the delivery of changes agreed through the Success Regime to make sure that the residents of Devon have access to high quality health care that is affordable within the resources allocated to the county. Angela will be responsible for leading delivery of change with all NHS organisations in Devon on a collaborative basis.

She plans to take up her new post in the early summer once the Trust has appointed a successor and will divide her time jointly between current and new roles until then. Work to appoint a new chief executive at the RD&E is already underway.

Angela took the helm at the RD&E in 1996 after joining the NHS aged 18 as a management trainee and she is one of the country’s longest-serving hospital chief executives. She was awarded an OBE in 2007 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter in 2011.

Commenting on the news, Angela Pedder said: “I have been immensely proud to work with some of the most talented, committed and compassionate healthcare staff over the last two decades. I would like to thank all members of staff - past and present - for their hard work and dedication to excellent patient care.

“Standards of patient safety and quality in Devon are good yet demand continues to grow and the patients we see are living longer with more complex conditions. In order for us to maintain and enhance the quality of care and live within our means we will need to develop new ways of working that build on the local health and social care partnerships already in place. This will be challenging but I am looking forward to the great opportunity it brings to make health and social care services in Devon sustainable and even better for our population.”

James Brent, Chairman of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Angela has served the RD&E, its staff and patients with distinction over the last 19 years and she will be missed. Over this time she has built a first-class leadership team, who will build upon the legacy she leaves.

“The RD&E’s loss is Devon’s gain and we are delighted she will continue to play a leading role in the county. I am sure her characteristic passion and commitment to safe and sustainable care for patients and populations will bring major benefits to all communities across Devon and Plymouth.”

Angela’s passion, drive and dedication to compassionate patient care have taken the RD&E from strength to strength over the past two decades. It now handles more than 700,000 contacts with patients each year within a turnover of £400 million.