Robert Bleasdale announced as new Chief Nurse Officer

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Bleasdale as Chief Nurse Officer (CNO) for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Robert is currently Chief Nurse and Director of Infection Prevention and Control at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and has held a number of senior nursing leadership roles in the NHS. He has been instrumental to the COVID-19 response, leading on the vaccination programme to establish one of the first vaccination clinics in the country. He has led on a number of quality improvement programmes—including the development of accreditation systems—which helped to raise standards of care and was involved in St George’s exiting of CQC special measures. He has proactively promoted partnership working and is passionate on the role of staff and patient involvement in key service decisions.

Robert became Deputy Chief Nurse at St George’s in 2017, having previously held a number of other senior nursing roles at St George’s since 2014. He started his nursing career in acute medicine before moving into emergency care. He is an advanced trauma nursing course instructor and completed his nursing degree at Oxford Brookes University. He also has a Masters in Senior Healthcare Leadership from Birmingham University.

On his new role, Robert said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to be appointed as the new Chief Nurse. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been one of the top performing trusts in the country throughout the pandemic which is down to the exceptional staff providing outstanding patient care. I’m looking forward to building on this success and working with staff who demonstrate exceptional team spirit and a real desire to deliver the very best care to every patient.”

Lesley Watts, Chief Executive, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “I am delighted that Robert will be joining us. He brings a wealth of experience to the role. I know Robert will lead the development of our nursing and midwifery teams with skill and compassion, and will be a valuable addition to the leadership team at the Trust.”

Robert is due to start on 1 Apr 2022, when he replaces the current Chief Nurse, Pippa Nightingale, who has been appointed Chief Executive of London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.