A FORMER GP who was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this summer has been named the new chief executive at Taunton’s Murgrove Park Hospital.

Dr Sam Barrell has a wide background in the NHS and was named as one of the Top 50 most inspirational women in healthcare by the prestigious Health Service Journal.

She worked as an anaesthetist in large acute trusts in London and is a member of NHS England’s Innovation, Health and Wealth Implementation Board.

Dr Barrell, who will replace the outgoing chief executive, Jo Cubbon, is currently chief clinical officer at South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group.

Speaking about her appointment, she said: “I am pleased to accept the position of chief executive at Musgrove Park Hospital.

“It is a high performing hospital, but also one facing some significant challenges and opportunities over the next few years.

“I look forward to working with colleagues from across the organisation to ensure it continues to deliver high quality care and treatment to the people of Somerset in a timely way.”

Musgrove Park Hospital’s chairman, Colin Drummond, said: “Dr Barrell comes to us with a very wide background in a range of NHS organisations and has particular expertise in developing a more integrated patient-centred healthcare system.

“This will be important to Musgrove Park Hospital as we work towards more joined up services for the people of Somerset.

“I know that she will add real value to our hospital and the broader Somerset community and provide great leadership in what will be a very challenging time for the NHS as a whole.”