Birmingham and Solihull Mental heath trust chief set to retire - The Solihull Observer

Birmingham and Solihull Mental heath trust chief set to retire

Solihull Editorial 13th Aug, 2018 Updated: 13th Aug, 2018   0

BIRMINGHAM and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust chief executive has announced that he will be retiring after six years at the Trust.

John Short will be leaving the Trust at the end of March next year after spending the past 25 years working in NHS trusts across the country.

John started his working life in mental health services as a volunteer at a night shelter in Edinburgh in 1981.

Over the years he has worked for the Probation Service, two local authorities and the voluntary sector.




Over the past eight years he has been a chief executive, first in Leicestershire and then in Birmingham and Solihull and he was named in the HSJ’s list of top 50 NHS chief executive’s earlier this year.

Mr Short said: “I have regarded it as a privilege to hold such posts in the NHS.


“My intention in working in mental health services has always been to make a difference for the better and improve the services that we offer to people overwhelmed by their poor mental health.

“I have seen a huge number of service changes over this period.

“I was involved in the closure of four of the old Water Tower hospitals and in the development of a wide range of services, including the National Service Framework in 1999 and the first street triage service in Leicester in 2012.

“On the much sadder side, I have worked with a large number of service users and sometimes colleagues who have found their mental distress too overwhelming and have taken their own lives and I will leave my post knowing that my successor and the NHS still has much to do.”

Mr Short added his decision to retire was personal and he looks forward to concentrating on his running cycling, travelling and seeing his family.

Trust chair, Sue Davis, said: “Throughout his time at the Trust, John has been uncompromising in campaigning locally, regionally and nationally for what he believes is right for the people who use and deliver our services.

“Whether it is with local partners, regulators, politicians or the media, he takes every opportunity to champion mental health, ensuring it is recognised and valued alongside physical health, and he does not hesitate to speak out when he believes something is wrong.

“He has personally spearheaded and encouraged the development of new mental health programmes and partnerships and ensures that we share learning and experience with others. This has put the Trust firmly at the forefront of innovation and new models of care in mental health nationally.”

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