A NEW chief executive officer with almost 30 years experience in the NHS has been appointed to lead Poole Hospital.

Debbie Fleming, currently Wessex area director for NHS England, plans to implement a “new strategy” to take the hospital through difficult times.

She began her management career at Poole Hospital in the 1980s, later serving as chief executive of Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust and will take over from Chris Bown, who steps down from the top spot on April 1 2014.

Trust chairman Angela Schofield described her as a “high calibre leader”.

She said: “Debbie is an extremely experienced and capable person with all the attributes required to steer this trust through the challenges ahead.

“I am delighted that we have secured such a high calibre leader with a proven track record in the NHS.”

Debbie has held a variety of senior posts since joining the NHS in 1984, including more than a decade in chief executive roles at Bournemouth & Poole and Hampshire primary care trusts.

She was also the general manager for medicine at Poole Hospital for ten years in the 1990s and said she was “pleased and proud” to be returning as the new chief executive officer.

“Like many organisations, the trust is currently facing a number of very significant challenges,” she said.

“However, I am looking forward to working with staff, clinicians, and all local stakeholders to develop and implement a new strategy that will take us through these difficult times.

“In this way, we will create a sustainable future, and Poole Hospital will continue to provide excellent, high quality services for local people.”

Angela Schofield paid tribute to Chris Bown saying: “Chris’s sterling leadership, energy, hard work and commitment to patients have been a driving force in ensuring that Poole remains a hospital focused on quality of care, and he has played an influential role in improving services for patients in Dorset.”