We are delighted to announce that Magda Smith has been appointed Group Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Barts Health. She will be seconded into that role and will continue to work for us as a consultant gastroenterologist.

Magda has been at our Trust for more than 25 years and has combined her clinical work with several senior leadership positions. She has been our Chief Medical Officer for the past three years.

Commenting on her appointment, Magda said: “I am excited about my new role and the opportunities it will offer as our two trusts work more closely together for the benefit of our residents.

“I am looking forward to meeting Barts colleagues and re-acquainting myself with the hospitals where I began my medical training.

“I will really miss working with the many good friends and colleagues I have at BHRUT. I know they will go from strength to strength, and I am confident the organisation is turning a corner and will continue to improve.”

Reacting to Magda’s appointment, Matthew Trainer, Chief Executive, said: “This is great news for Magda, for Barts Health, and for our collaboration with them.

“She is an outstanding doctor with a deep humanity who is passionate about offering the best possible care to patients.

“As a leader, Magda played a pivotal role helping to steer our Trust through the very worst of Covid-19 and she became one of the voices of the pandemic on the BBC.

“I am grateful for all the support she has given me, and I have no doubt she will thrive at Barts. Her knowledge of both trusts will help strengthen our collaboration and I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”

We will recruit a permanent Chief Medical Officer in the new year.