HCA Healthcare UK has appointed Claire Hubbard as chief nursing officer for The Harborne Hospital, a new multi-specialty private hospital opening in Birmingham next spring, responsible for overseeing the overall operation of the clinical teams within the facility.

Hubbard has more than 27 years’ experience working in the hospital and healthcare industry, with a focus on healthcare leadership and management, governance, quality improvement and patient safety.

After completing registered nurse training at Barnet College of Nursing between 1992 and 1995, Hubbard went on to specialise in cardiothoracic surgery, initially working at Harefield Hospital before moving to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, part of University Hospitals Birmingham, plus working at The Heart and Lung Centre, part of Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals.

She held a number of senior positions including deputy chief nursing officer at a multi-site acute trust, and divisional director of nursing posts for medicine and emergency care.

Hubbard said: “The Harborne Hospital will provide a brilliant depth and breadth of expertise across multiple disciplines, and I am looking forward to working alongside the hospital’s team of nurses and consultants to deliver high quality and safe care to its patients and drive positive health outcomes.”

Claire Smith, chief executive of joint ventures at HCA Healthcare UK commented: “Claire’s nursing leadership and extensive experience will support the delivery of our end-to-end care pathways and our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality patient-centred care. Across HCA Healthcare UK, our nursing teams are at the heart of our hospitals and we are delighted that Claire will be leading the nursing practice at The Harborne Hospital as we extend the HCA UK healthcare system to the Midlands.”