Richard Ord, Chief Executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, is retiring after more than 30 years working in the NHS in Harrogate.
Mr Ord began his career in capital planning and has worked his way up to become Chief Executive five years ago. Prior to being appointed as Chief Executive, Mr Ord was Deputy Chief Executive for four years, with responsibility for performance and planning.
During his time in charge of the Trust, Mr Ord has seen some significant developments. These have included the Trust taking on the running of community based healthcare services across North Yorkshire, including Ripon Community Hospital, and the building of the new Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre for cancer patients at Harrogate District Hospital.
Only last year, the Hospital received a glowing inspection report from the Care Quality Commission, which said that the organisation was well led.
Mr Ord said: I have been proud to be Chief Executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust for the past five years. We are a high performing organisation, which is down to the hard work, dedication and compassion of all of our staff, who I want to thank for their efforts.
The priority must always be the delivery of high quality care for every patient, whilst learning lessons when we do not get things right.
It has been a great honour to serve the people of our area and I wish the Trust and all of its patients, staff and volunteers all the best for the future.
