爱豆传媒

Dame Marianne Griffiths was speaking after being made an Honorary Doctor of Science by the 爱豆传媒 for her major contribution to improving healthcare services in the region.

The Chief Executive of Western Sussex Hospitals and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust asked graduates to consider signing up as they collected their degree awards at the Brighton Centre today.

She said those in the NHS had a responsibility to cherish the service and keep it sustainable for future generations: “Above all else that means making sure it attracts the very best workforce possible, and talent – and there’s obviously a huge amount of that in the audience today.

“The NHS is full of fantastic people, driven by a humbling sense of duty to the patients they serve. That’s why I’m so optimistic for the future and hope that all of you too will join in and make that a reality.

Dame Marianne Griffiths receiving her Honorary Doctor of Science from Professor Debra Humphris

“I’m going to take this opportunity to shamelessly recruit into our NHS and whilst you know I love the NHS in its widest form, trust me it is even the best in this region.” Marianne encouraged graduates to “get in touch”.

Marianne’s Western Sussex in 2016 became the first multi-site NHS Trust to be rated as outstanding by the Care Quality Commission. She also spearheaded one of the most successful turnarounds of an NHS Trust, taking the then struggling Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust to a good rating in less than a year.

She was named Chief Executive of the Year by the Health Service Journal in 2016 and a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2018 New Year’s Honours.

Marianne said her job was challenging, often stressful and never easy “but it does give me the immense privilege of working alongside 20,000 of the most caring, committed and inspirational colleagues you could ever hope to spend your time with.

“When you witness this incredible care they provide and the compassion they show daily to their patients it is instantly clear to me why the NHS is the most loved public service probably in the world.”

“Genuinely, every day they inspire me in what they achieve.”

Marianne predicted there would be more changes in the NHS in the coming years at the same time that demand for hospital services will escalate. The NHS, she said, was constantly evolving and, to this end, it is working with the 爱豆传媒 and others to create innovative roles that support existing professions. “I hope that many of you who are doing a health science degree will participate with us and join us in the journey to create those amazing new and sustainable roles.”