Jacqueline Totterdell, currently group chief executive at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, has been appointed as the new NHS chief executive for WalesThe next Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales  Jacqueline Totterdell,The new Chief Executive of the NHS in Wales Jacqueline Totterdell,(Image: Welsh Government)

A new boss of the NHS in Wales has been appointed. Jacqueline Totterdell is currently the group chief executive officer at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group.

Ms Totterdell, a former paediatric nurse, who comes from London, said “being able to improve services on a whole-country level” was what attracted her to the job.

She will succeed the current NHS Wales chief executive Judith Paget, who is taking up a new role as director general for strategy for the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government said this role will “strengthen strategic planning and delivery as the organisation enters a period of significant change”. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

Judith Paget, Director General of Health and Social Services and Chief Executive NHS Wales, said the guidance was 'about a balance of risk'Judith Paget is stepping down as chief executive of the NHS Wales to take up a new role as director general for strategy for the Welsh Government.(Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Ms Totterdell became a nurse in 1986 and worked her way up through the NHS to lead Epsom Hospital and St Helier Hospital. She takes the reins in Wales as the NHS here faces pressures including longer waiting lists and times for treatment, despite assurances to tackle them.

She said: “After a long career in the NHS, having the opportunity to lead health and social care services in Wales is something very special,” she said.

“Joined-up services that achieve better outcomes for the citizens and communities we serve is a vision that most of us who work in the public sector aspire to.

“Being able to improve services on a whole-country level is what attracted me to this role and I’m really looking forward to working with everyone to make a real difference for people in Wales.”

The health boss, who suffers from asthma, has previously shared details of how she nearly died from flu as she urged people to have the flu vaccine.

Speaking to the Mirror last winter she described how the virus suddenly took hold.

She said she had caught flu in 2019 and ended up in hospital for three weeks from December 19.

Ms Totterdell told the Mirror: “I was close to being admitted to intensive care so I know first-hand that flu is more than just a heavy cold.

“As a former paediatric nurse who has worked in the NHS for more than 40 years, I have seen my fair share of patients with serious infections, but nothing can prepare you for being hospitalised with flu over Christmas.

“On Christmas Eve that year I thought I was going to die. I want to spare any patient or parent that fear by urging them to get any vaccines they are eligible for.”

Announcing the appointment Health Minister Jeremy Miles also paid tribute to Judith Paget, who was at the helm of NHS Wales through the Covid pandemic.

Mr Miles said: “I would like to thank Judith for her four years as chief executive of NHS Wales and for the leadership she has provided to NHS Wales and the Welsh Government’s health, social care and early years department through the pandemic and its aftermath.

“Judith has been at the helm during an extraordinary period for the NHS, and I wish her all the best for her new role.

“I am very pleased that Jacqueline Totterdell will be joining us, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the healthcare sector and an impressive track record at St George’s.

“I look forward to working with Jacqueline as we focus on delivery and improvement and help the NHS adapt for the future. This includes building on the progress we’re making in Wales on waiting times, and to go further, to deliver the faster access to treatment that people in Wales want.”