Ruth Friel Appointed as New Head of Outpatients

HMT Sancta Maria Hospital has appointed a new Head of Outpatients, who has a track record of industry recognition for improving the patient experience. 

Ruth Friel is a registered nurse and midwife who has worked in the NHS for 37 years. She began her nursing career as a volunteer in her local hospital, before undertaking nurse and midwifery training.  She has a Master’s degree in Health Care Management and was one of the first nurses in Wales to undertake the Florence Nightingale Emerging Leadership Scholarship. Ruth has focused upon sharing improvement work in health care, and she has been recognised with awards for leading on improving Surgical Site Infection rates, introducing real time patient surveys, and setting up triage services. 

Ruth says: “I am excited about my new role as Head of Outpatients, especially with the imminent opening of the new state-of-the-art hospital in SA1, with its world-leading diagnostic equipment, including an MRI scanner, digital x-ray and fluoroscopy unit. I moved to  Swansea recently – I live near to the new HMT Sancta Maria Hospital site, so I have watched  the new building take shape and I wanted to work there as soon as I saw it. I know many patients who have enjoyed very positive experiences at HMT Sancta Maria Hospital and I know staff who very much enjoy working there, too, so I am excited to be part of the team, and in such a fantastic location. 

“Continuing to drive quality of care will be my priority. Excellent service comes from truly understanding the patient’s needs and putting the right guidelines and customer service standards in place. I am committed to exceeding patients’ expectations, ensuring a high quality, efficient patient-centred service.”

Hospital Director at HMT Sancta Maria, Geoff Bailey, says: “I am delighted to welcome Ruth to the team. Her experience in healthcare speaks for itself and she brings with her a very sharp focus and an innovative approach to the patient experience. I am very much looking forward to working with Ruth on developing Sancta’s services further, and I know she is already developing her team and its expertise in a very positive way.”

As well as being head of Outpatients, Ruth is also responsible for radiology and pre-assessment services.