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New executive appointments at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSFT) has appointed two exceptional individuals as its new executive chief nurse and interim executive director of workforce and communications.
Dan Spooner takes up the post of executive chief nurse, having been deputy chief nurse at the Trust since June 2020, while Julie Hull joins as interim executive director of workforce and communications.
Dr Ewen Cameron, chief executive of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have Dan and Julie joining the executive team. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to the leadership group.
“Each of them will play a critical role in supporting our staff and ensuring patients receive the very best care.”
Dan Spooner trained at Ipswich Hospital and spent 15 years at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust before joining the former Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust, where he became the deputy director of nursing. He joined WSFT in the summer of 2020, a few months into the pandemic.
Alongside his clinical leadership, Dan has been a champion for NHS staff wellbeing. With support from likeminded colleagues, he established the Trust’s Schwartz Rounds initiative in 2023, which regularly brings staff together in a structured forum to discuss the social and emotional impact of working in healthcare.
On his appointment, Dan said: “I am deeply honoured to step into the role of executive chief nurse here at our Trust. This is a significant moment for me and I’m proud to have the opportunity to champion and represent such a talented, compassionate and hardworking community of nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals.”
Julie Hull is a very experienced NHS HR and organisational development practitioner, who is currently the chief people officer (interim) at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
Julie said: “I’m delighted to be coming to West Suffolk. I have worked in a variety of NHS organisations, and I’ll work tirelessly for the Trust to deliver the best possible working environment and experience for all colleagues so they can give their best.”
Dan Spooner will take up his new post in July when the current executive chief nurse, Susan Wilkinson, retires.
Julie Hull will begin her role in June following the departure of Jeremy Over, executive director of workforce and communications, who leaves in May to become chief people officer at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
On the executive departures, Dr Cameron added: “I want to pay tribute to both Sue and Jeremy for the enormous contributions they’ve made to the Trust.
“Over the last six years, Jeremy has employed his experience, clarity of thought, and warmth to strengthen the organisational culture as we navigate through challenging times. Sue has been an exceptional clinical leader and, on behalf of all the people she has worked with and represented in her role, we wish her a very happy retirement.”
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