Executive Nurse Director, Ruth Walker MBE, retires following four decades of nursing

Following a long and illustrious career that has spanned four decades, Ruth has worked continuously in the NHS in both England and Wales and joined Cardiff and Vale UHB in 2009. In 2019 she received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to the nursing in the NHS.

Although she leaves her role in the UHB she will continue in her work as the registrant member for Wales on the Nursing Midwifery Council.

She said: "It has been a real pleasure to have had the opportunity to work alongside such an excellent group of colleagues, working at all levels of the organisation during my time in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. I have been in a privileged position that has allowed me the opportunity to lead a group of highly skilled, competent, and caring nurses and midwives, however after much soul searching and 40 years of service, I have made the decision to retire from this Executive Nurse role.  

“I have discussed my decision with the new incumbent CEO, Suzanne Rankin and I am keen to ensure I support her arrival and introduction into the UHB. In order to do this, I have agreed to stay in position until May 2022 which will give her the opportunity to recruit for my replacement, to see us through this winter, the third wave of the pandemic and our recovery but also provide some stability with new members of a changing executive team.

“I am incredibly proud to be a nurse and to serve the public, my job has always been about people, developing colleagues, providing high quality safe care to patients, and their families. It is a privilege to be in a position where you are able to treat and care for people when they are often at their most vulnerable. It is the people I will miss, and I would like to thank all my colleagues clinical and non-clinical for their support, service, and fortitude, especially over the past two years during very difficult times. I would also like to thank the Board and my Executive colleagues for their support and their friendship over the past 12 years and I wish Stuart in his new role, Suzanne and the team the very best in the future. 

“Finally, while I am relinquishing my role at Cardiff and Vale, continue my work with the NMC and I consider what new adventures are around the corner, I do look forward to having some time with my family and friends while having the flexibility of remaining involved in nursing but enjoying more free time and the odd music festival – COVID-19 willing!"

Professor Stuart Walker, Interim Chief Executive at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, commented, “Ruth and her four decades of nursing experience will be a significant loss to Cardiff and Vale but I understand her reasons for wanting to take a step back and retire from such a demanding role. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ruth as both Medical Director and Interim CEO and have always found her to be a fantastic leader, especially during challenging times, a calm and resolute character when we have been faced with difficult clinical and management decisions, and a supportive colleague when things have not always gone to plan. 

“Ruth's professional achievements are vast. Her wealth of experience, knowledge and her network is incredible I would like to thank her for giving us time to fill her role but also for her services to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, the nursing profession, and the NHS. On behalf of the Executive team, I wish her and her family well.”

Once the new CEO is in post, plans will be put in place for the Deputy Executive Nurse Director to work more closely alongside Ruth while a recruitment process is undertaken. Further information and details will follow in due course.

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