Kathy Byrne has been appointed as the new Chief Executive at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT).

The Trust said she has a long and distinguished career as a health service chief executive in Australia and until recently was head of health support Queensland and deputy director general at Queensland Department of Health.

Kathy will join the Trust on April 25 after moving to the UK to take up the post.

RCHT chairman Dr Jon Andrewes said: ’She is exactly what RCHT and the wider health and social care community need if we are to offer outstanding services over the coming years.

’Kathy’s experience and track record is exceptional and she received strong support from our clinicians involved in the selection process.

’ I want us all to welcome Kathy to the local community and work as one team to ensure we can offer the very best care to the people we serve.’

Ms Byrne said on her appointment: ’I have visited Cornwall several times over the years and come to appreciate what a special place it is. Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust really appeals to me as the kind of organisation and challenge to be part of.

’From the start I was impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of the people at RCHT and the foundations for change and improvement that have been put in place. I am really looking forward to working with the staff and the whole community to make Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly a leader in integrated health care where the patient and citizen are truly at the centre of all we do.’