Spire Healthcare appoints group medical director

Dr Catherine Cale, group medical director, Spire Healthcare

Dr Catherine Cale has joined Spire Healthcare as its group medical director.

Cale will join Spire’s executive committee and work on the development of medical governance structures across Spire, working closely with the director of clinical services to maintain the group’s focus on care.

Cale joins Spire with 30 years experience in the NHS in clinical, research and leadership roles. She trained in paediatric immunology and immunopathology and has experience as a medical director with roles at three NHS trusts, including Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust.

She most recently worked at The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where she spent 20 months as medical director.

In 2017, Cale became a clinical ambassador for GIRFT (Getting it Right First Time), a national programme designed to improve medical care by tackling variations in the way services are delivered across the NHS, and by sharing best practice between trusts. She was also deputy medical director for NHS Improvement London Region.

Cale said: ‘I was attracted to Spire because their commitment to high quality care and governance matches my own, and I am looking forward to being involved with the continued delivery of these strategic priorities. A key part of my role will involve engaging with all the consultants who work with Spire to deliver these continuous improvements.’

Spire CEO, Justin Ash said: ‘Cathy is a fantastic addition to Spire, she has a proven track record across NHS trusts and her focus on quality improvement, consistent implementation of best practice and patient safety aligns with our core priorities. Her involvement in the continued delivery of these objectives will be invaluable.’