Strengthening our nursing leadership team
We are delighted to announce two key additions to our nursing leadership team: Maija Hansen has been appointed as Deputy Chief Nurse and Director of Nursing, while Loretta McGurry has been appointed as Deputy Chief Nurse for Community.
These newly created roles support the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, particularly the shift towards delivering more care in community settings. They will provide dedicated leadership across nursing services, strengthen support for our community workforce, and help improve outcomes for patients and local communities.
Maija Hansen appointed Deputy Chief Nurse and Director of Nursing
Maija Hansen’s appointment as Deputy Chief Nurse and Director of Nursing, follows her successful tenure in the interim role since April 2024.
Maija joined the Trust in 2018 and has provided effective nursing leadership across a range of services, including community nursing, virtual ward and remote monitoring, frailty services, medical inpatient services, and urgent and emergency care.
During her time in the interim role, Maija has played a key role in driving improvements in quality, safety and patient care, while championing the needs of both patients and staff.
Prior to joining the Trust, Maija spent 10 years at Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, leading dermatology and ambulatory care services, and a further decade at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as a Clinical Site Nurse Practitioner, delivering care and managing patient flow across the organisation.
With a nursing background, Maija holds a BSc in Critical Care, an MSc in Advanced Practice Leadership and a number of postgraduate diplomas, highlighting her extensive clinical and leadership experience.
Maija said:
"I am really excited by the opportunity to continue my journey in Croydon and support teams across the Trust to further embed and develop the excellent care we offer to our population.
"I look forward to taking the opportunity to learn what matters to staff and patients, focusing on where we can improve quality."
Loretta McGurry appointed Deputy Chief Nurse for Community
We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Loretta McGurry as Deputy Chief Nurse for Community.
Loretta joins the role from her current position as Deputy Director of Nursing for the Integrated Women's, Children's and Sexual Health Directorate and brings extensive nursing leadership experience and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
Having worked in community nursing for more than 20 years, Loretta has led community nursing services in Croydon and across South East London for the past 12 years. Throughout her career, she has led improvements in quality, patient experience and workforce development, helping to deliver better outcomes for patients and communities.
In her new role, Loretta will provide professional leadership across our community services, working closely with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of safe and effective care. She will play a key role in reducing health inequalities, supporting innovation and developing our community workforce.
Loretta said:
"I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Deputy Chief Nurse for Community. Having worked in community nursing for over 20 years, and led community nursing services in Croydon and across South East London for the last 12 years, I have seen first-hand the incredible difference community teams make to people's lives every day.
"My passion is reducing inequalities, improving the quality of care we provide, and supporting our workforce to develop, thrive and lead. I look forward to working with colleagues across the Trust and our partners to strengthen community services, drive innovation, and ensure community care is recognised as an equal partner alongside acute services."
Deborah Kelly, Chief Nurse, said:
"I am delighted to confirm the appointments of Maija and Loretta to these important roles within our nursing leadership team.
“Maija has shown exceptional leadership during her time as Interim Deputy Chief Nurse and Director of Nursing, and I am pleased to see her appointed substantively. Loretta brings a wealth of experience in community nursing and a genuine passion for supporting patients, communities and colleagues.
“Both appointments reflect our commitment to investing in nursing leadership and supporting our workforce as we continue to develop services that meet the needs of our local population. I am very much looking forward to working with Maija and Loretta as we continue to improve care for our patients and communities."
Please join us in congratulating both Maija and Loretta on their new roles and wishing them every success.