THE NHS trust that runs Southmead Hospital has welcomed a new non-executive director to the board.

University of Bristol pro vice-chancellor Professor John Iredale has joined the trust’s board, having previously served as a non-executive director for NHS Lothian, one of the largest health organisations in the UK, from 2010 to 2016.

During this time, he played a lead role in aligning NHS and university activities.

Professor Iredale also serves as chairman of the experimental medicine at the university, having previously held similar positions at universities in Edinburgh and Southampton.

He also holds honorary consultant contracts with North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Iredale said: “With my background in health and research I am looking forward to helping guide North Bristol NHS Trust to achieve its ambitions to lead state of the art healthcare and deliver the research necessary to drive new treatments and improvements in outcomes and the quality of care for our NHS patients.

“Having been a non-executive Director of NHS Lothian, I hope to bring appropriate experience and intend to help strengthen links between the trust and the university further.”

Welcoming, Professor Iredale to the board, the trust’s chairman Peter Rilett said he was delighted to have him on board.

He added: “He brings a wealth of experience that will help in driving us towards our objectives of being a leader in research and establishing new ways of providing healthcare services to our community.”