Professor Trish Morris-Thompson has announced she is retiring from her post of director of quality and clinical governance at Barchester Healthcare among other positions on 28 February.

One of the most senior nurses in the care sector, and a qualified midwife, Morris-Thompson has spent 38 years working in senior positions within both the NHS and private sector.

As well as her position at Barchester, Morris-Thompson is nurse advisor to Care England, trustee for the Florence Nightingale Foundation and part of the Professional Strategic Advisory Group of the Nursing & Midwifery Council.

Pete Calveley, chief executive of Barchester, commented: “Trish joined Barchester nearly four years ago and since then we have made significant steps in enhancing the quality of care that we provide to our residents and patients, and this is reflected in the improvements that we have seen in our ratings from our regulators.

“In addition, she has overseen the development of a new dementia care programme and driven a number of major changes in the way her department is structured and supports the rest of the business in achieving our long-term quality goals.

“She has also been a fantastic ambassador not just for Barchester but for the nursing profession as a whole.

“I'd like to thank Trish for everything that she has achieved during her time with Barchester and for her support during my time as chief executive, and I wish her every success in the future.”

Meanwhile, Calveley will be taking on the role of chairman of Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, which supports the elderly and other adults living with a disability.

He succeeds Mike Parsons, founder and former chief executive of Barchester, in the position.