Stacey Hunter who joined University Hospitals Tees (comprising North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts) in January 2024, appears on the list for the fourth time.
Speaking about the accolade Ms Hunter said: “The HSJ is one of the most prolific of the trade publications we work with in the NHS. This recognition is one for everyone who works in our teams across UHT. I know that the improvements we deliver and the high-quality care happens because of the efforts of our staff, and I am grateful to them for the contributions they make for our patients and their families.
“Importantly, our performance continues to improve across both of our organisations with our University Hospital of North Tees remaining consistently in the top performing emergency departments in the country, and at South Tees Hospitals 10% more outpatient activity took place in the year to April 2025 compared to the previous year thanks to its digital patient engagement portal.”
The annual poll hosted by the health publication announced on 9 June 2025 is a second successive ranking for the Tees by Hunter. Previously she has appeared in the top 50 with her former employer Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust.
UHT chair professor Derek Bell said of the inclusion: “Our trusts came together as a group formally early last year. In a post pandemic era, against a backdrop of significant challenges for the NHS, we are exceptionally proud to see Stacey notably recognised. This is a huge period of change for our health and care landscape across our region and it is not always an easy task to land. We continue to be grateful for those supporting this journey, and recognise the wider contributions of our staff, our local partners and of course our patients.”
A number of other health care leaders across the North East and North Cumbria were also recognised including Birju Bartoli from Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust and James Duncan from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust.