DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 21 November 2008
David Foster has
been appointed to the post of Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at the
Department of Health, it was announced today.
David will replace Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Janice
Sigsworth, who left the Department of Health in October this year.
The appointment will take effect on 1 December.
David's new role will focus on modernising nursing careers
and driving up the quality of nursing and midwifery care as part
of the Next Stage Review that set out reforms to the NHS.
He has been working in the Chief Nursing Officer's team at
the Department of Health since April 2008. His recent work has
included responsibility for midwifery, acute care, workforce,
education and clinical academic training issues.
David came to the Department of Health from Imperial College
Healthcare NHS Trust where he was Director of Non-medical
Postgraduate Development. Prior to that, he was Director of
Nursing at Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust for a number of years
during which time he also chaired the Association of UK University
Hospitals Directors of Nursing Group for a two-year term.
A registered nurse and midwife, David spent much of his clinical
career in intensive care and midwifery before embarking on his
management career. He also has a particular interest in research
and was awarded a PhD for his research into developing nurses as
managers. David is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development.
David Foster said:
"I am looking forward to taking up my new role and the
challenges that this will bring. There are tremendous
opportunities to drive up the quality of nursing and midwifery
care as part of the Next Stage Review which will improve the lives
of both staff and patients."
Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer said:
"I am delighted that David is being promoted to the role of
Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health. David
has extensive experience in taking forward the development of
nursing and midwifery outlined in the Next Stage Review which will
prove invaluable."
"David joined my team in April this year and has already
completed important work developing a strategy to enhance the
quality of midwifery care as part of the Next Stage Review."
Note to Editors:
1. Janice Sigsworth has left the Department of Health to take up
a new role as Director of Nursing at Imperial College Healthcare
NHS Trust.
2. David Foster biography:
David Foster was appointed Deputy Chief Nursing Officer through
open competition. David trained in nursing at the Middlesex
Hospital, London and in midwifery at Falkirk and Stirling Royal
Infirmaries, Forth Valley Health Board in Scotland. His
postgraduate studies include intensive care nursing, an MSc in
management and PhD awarded for his research into developing nurses
as managers. He also has a diploma in personnel management and is
a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
David's clinical career in intensive care and midwifery was
followed by a management career which encompassed both nursing and
general management responsibilities much of which was at The
Whittington Hospital in north London. During this time he gained
particular expertise in reviewing and rationalising services and
negotiating education contracts.
As Director of Nursing at Hammersmith Hospitals David was
instrumental in establishing systematic audit and processes of
patient involvement which led to service improvements. During this
time he was an active member of the Association of UK University
Hospitals Directors of Nursing Group which he chaired for a term
of two years. He has also served on a number of committees in
London and nationally with a particular interest in improving
midwifery services, electronic prescribing, education and research.