ONE of the North-East's biggest hospital trusts has appointed a new head of nursing.

Mike Wright, currently executive chief nurse at the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, becomes the executive director of nursing with the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Durham City and Bishop Auckland.

Mr Wright has been executive chief nurse at his previous trust for the last seven years. He has also held the position of deputy and acting chief executive, roles at a number of trusts.

Mr Wright said: "I've been a nurse for 31 years now. Originally training in Yorkshire, I then spent 16 years at St Guy's and St Thomas' in London before moving to Bromley Trust and then returning to Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

"I wasn't looking for a new role but I was attracted to County Durham and Darlington because of the integrated care system being delivered. The Trust provides care across both acute and community settings, which is a model I believe in, and which I knew would stretch my experience and challenge my thinking.

"I am passionate about safe, high quality patient care, that's what gets me up in the morning, and drives me to improve. I am also the most ardent supporter of staff when care is being delivered well but committed to identifying where things are not going so well and putting in place the mechanisms to make improvements."

Mr Wright will take up his new post on November 5.