The new boss of the trusts in charge of Swindon, Wiltshire and Bath hospitals has explained how she will improve patient care.

Cara Charles-Barks has taken charge of the Great Western, Salisbury, and Royal United Hospitals following a decision by the three trusts to establish a group model which they hope will deliver better outcomes for patients.

On her first day in the role, which she described as an honour and a privilege, Cara spoke about the importance of collaboration, how her team will tackle inequalities between the three hospitals, and improve treatments and procedures.

She said: “I am looking forward to working with new and old colleagues to blend fresh ideas with valuable experience to foster innovation as we develop the new acute group and seek to deliver ever better healthcare to our population.

“I want to explore a profound truth that resonates throughout our lives: the idea that no man is an island.

“This metaphor reminds us that each of us is intrinsically connected to one another, shaped by our relationships, experiences, and the communities we live in. That together we are stronger than we are alone. The same is true in healthcare as it is for each of us as people.

“In our fast-paced, modern world, it can be easy to believe that we’re alone. We can prioritise self-sufficiency, viewing independence as a virtue, and that being strong but alone is the way forward.

“But while there needs to be strength and a sense of pride within an organisation, we must also recognise that true potential to innovate is unlocked through connection, by working with others. Excellence is usually achieved through collaboration and support.

“Some of the remarkable advancements in healthcare… emerge from collaborative teams, diverse in expertise and background, working together towards a common goal: to heal and to improve lives.

“This interconnectedness is the bedrock of progress. As we share ideas, challenge each other, and support one another, we foster an environment where innovation thrives and the art of the possible is realised. When we work and learn together we can improve together.

“Today the NHS stands at yet another crossroads, and it is a time for renewal. For 75 years the NHS has survived by pulling together, by adapting to changes and by focussing on the needs of the communities we serve.

“As three hospitals we now have the opportunity to learn together, to tackle inequalities in access to services, to work together to remove barriers to good health and provide improved health outcomes for all our communities.

“Today a person living in Devizes can be offered the same treatment in Bath, Swindon or Salisbury yet their experience and outcomes may vary. But by working and learning together we can reduce those differences. For example, if we share waiting lists across the three hospitals we can find ways to prioritise those most in need of treatment.

"Our shared electronic patient records will allow ever closer working and greater understanding with better data helping us target resources.

“A new approach to community healthcare will enable patients to be treated closer to home, avoid hospital admissions and shorten stays. Shared training and development will enable services to improve together, driving innovation and delivering higher-quality care.

“However, we must be intentional as we build these connections, they do not happen by accident, they needs deliberate actions and design. It calls for vulnerability, openness, and a willingness to engage with others.

“In a society that can at times emphasise individualism, we must make a conscious effort to reach out, to listen, and to support one another. We must create spaces where we cheer each other on, where everyone feels valued and heard, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

“I believe that by working, learning and improving together we can embrace the idea that no one is an island.

"By nurturing our relationships across the three hospitals and recognising the value of collaboration, we can create the conditions for each one of us to shine.”

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