Chief nurse of UK’s largest NHS trust retires after 40-year career
A senior nurse and midwife has retired after more than 40 years of service to the health service, including more than 20 years as a director of nursing.
Professor Cheryl Lenney stepped down at the end of March from her latest post as group chief nurse of the UK’s largest health service provider, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).
Professor Lenney, who registered as a general nurse and midwife in 1981, led a decorated career in the NHS, which saw her rise from ‘shop floor’ midwifery to senior roles in education and leadership.
She championed ‘normal births’ and appointed the first consultant midwife for normal birth in 2000, before joining one of MFT’s predecessor organisation in 2002 as director of adult nursing.
Professor Lenney was made chief nurse of Central Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in 2015 and remained in post after it became part of MFT until her retirement at the end of last month.
During her career, Professor Lenney helped develop national leadership programmes for midwives, was an advocate for the introduction of nursing associates, and worked with universities in her area to increase the number of locally-trained nurses entering the profession.
Professor Cheryl Lenney (second from left) being presented with her lifetime achievement award
As well as this, she was made an honorary professor of nursing and advanced health practitioners at the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, and later a visiting professor of nursing at Manchester Metropolitan University.
In this latter role, Professor Lenney helped acquire funding for nursing and health research and led on improvements to clinical academic roles at the institution.
In 2020, she was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to nursing and midwifery, and in particular for her leadership at her trust during the outbreak of Covid-19.
On her retirement, Professor Lenney was awarded with a lifetime achievement award by group chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust for “outstanding services”.
She is succeeded in post by Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson, formerly chief nurse at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust.
Professor Lenney announced her retirement on X (formerly Twitter) and wished her successor well. She said: “No longer [chief nurse], but happy to release the handle for Kimberly Salmon-Jamieson with best wishes.”
A Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We would like to wish Professor Cheryl Lenney OBE, group chief nurse, a wonderful retirement after a long and dedicated career with [the trust].”
Fellow health leaders wished Professor Lenney well on her retirement, including advanced clinical practitioner Gul Sanai Memon, who wrote on X: “Professor Cheryl Lenney, chief nurse, your leadership and representation have been invaluable over the years.
“Thank you for your dedication and service to the nursing community! Please accept my heartfelt thanks and best wishes on your well-deserved retirement.”
Also posting on the social media platform, nurse Sue Ward added: “Happy retirement to my amazing friend and mentor, Professor Cheryl Lenney OBE.
“She has given so, so much to so many for 47 years and leaves an extraordinary professional legacy for Manchester and across the UK. Thank you to the most incredible leader.”
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 October 2017 following the merger of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust.
The trust operates 10 hospitals throughout the Greater Manchester area and is the largest in the UK.
