Acting Chief Executive to leave Sherwood Forest Hospitals

The Acting Chief Executive of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced he is stepping down from the role to explore new opportunities beyond the NHS. 

Announcing the news to colleagues, Dr David Selwyn, who has worked in the NHS for more than 40 years and held the post since May 2024, said: “It has been a genuine privilege to lead and work at Sherwood Forest Hospitals - I have felt truly at home here, both clinically and from an operational and leadership point of view.

“One of the things I will treasure from the past six years is the colleagues who were and still are a pleasure to work with and the leaders who I have been proud to watch grow and thrive.

“I look forward to watching the next chapter for Sherwood fondly from afar.”

Dr Selwyn joined SFH just over six years ago as Deputy Medical Director and a Critical Care consultant, before being appointed to Executive Medical Director, Deputy CEO and finally Acting CEO. 

During his time at SFH, the Trust has faced some of the most challenging periods in its recent history, including the Covid pandemic, unprecedented periods of industrial action and the untimely passing of former Chief Executive Paul Robinson earlier this year.

Achievements over the past six years include a new theatre at Newark Hospital, and the installation of a pharmacy robot and a new and improved discharge lounge at King’s Mill Hospital. 

Dr Selwyn is the Trust’s Digital Lead and digital transformation is well underway ahead of the introduction of an Electronic Patient Record (EPR). Work is progressing on the Community Diagnostic Centre, which is due to open at Mansfield Community Hospital next year, along with the development of a new MRI facility at King’s Mill Hospital.

Graham Ward, Trust Chair, said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to Dave for his exemplary leadership during this difficult time in the Trust’s history.

“His leadership has helped me immeasurably, as well as bringing much-needed stability to the Trust. During that year, he has delivered the first year of our new Improving Lives strategy – all while managing the operational and financial challenges we are seeing across the whole of our NHS.”

The Trust recently appointed Jon Melbourne to the role of Chief Executive. Jon is due to join Sherwood Forest in late October after he’s completed his notice period at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust where he is Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer. Dr Selwyn will continue in his current role until early November.