Mental healthcare provider appoints new director of nursing

It has announced the appointment of Julie Kerry, a nurse leader with more than 30 years of experience across a range of sectors, including the NHS, social care and the independent sector.

“St Andrew’s has solid foundations and impressive nursing clinical experience”

Julie Kerry

St Andrew’s said Ms Kerry had a “proven track record of delivering significant quality and safety improvements”, noting she had worked in provider and strategic roles, both regionally and nationally.

She has a comprehensive, system-wide view of all aspects of healthcare delivery, having worked within strategic health authorities and NHS England, it highlighted.

Ms Kerry has previously been director of Nursing at care home provider HC-One, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and independent provider Cygnet Health Care.

Another one of her career achievements was founding the community interest company Making Families Count (MFC), where she remains a non-executive director.

The organisation brings together families who experience complex bereavement after losing a loved one to suicide, mental health homicide, or an adult child with a learning disability who has died.

Ms Kerry said: “I am delighted to be joining St Andrew’s Healthcare at a fundamentally important and exciting time for the charity.

“St Andrew’s has solid foundations and impressive nursing clinical experience, and together we will work to harness this and drive continuous quality improvements and innovation,” she said.

“For those who work in nursing, we know that there are national and international challenges, but we have incredible opportunities which will allow our colleagues to develop and progress their professions.”

She added: “It’s my role now to ensure that all our nursing staff here at St Andrew’s are aware of these opportunities and are fully supported to take them.”

St Andrew’s Healthcare has services located across three hospital sites in Northampton, Essex and Birmingham, and two community-facing sites in Nottingham and Derby.

The charity provides specialist mental healthcare for people with complex mental health needs. Any profit made is reinvested into patient care.

Dr Vivienne McVey, St Andrew’s Healthcare’s chief executive, said: “Julie impressed the senior staff and patients who were sat in the recruitment panels with her caring and compassionate attitude.

“She has had a long and distinguished career working within the field of mental health and we’re pleased to have her on board leading our nurses.

“We believe Julie is a passionate advocate of excellence in patient care, with a proven track record of leading on successful and complex service projects,” she added.