Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust have announced that following a competitive recruitment process, Sarah Burton has been appointed as the new Chief Nurse for the Trust.
Sarah Burton, the current Chief Nurse at Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will take up the post in Spring 2026.
Sarah has worked in the NHS for the past 30 years, holding a range of senior leadership roles including at Ashford and St Peter’s hospitals, and University College London hospitals where she was Deputy Chief Nurse.
Sarah has a strong background in quality and safety, along with extensive operational experience and collaborative system leadership. She has a degree in cancer nursing, a master’s degree in strategic clinical leadership, and values a culture of learning.
Trust Chief Executive, Andrew Hines said:
“I am delighted to have appointed Sarah Burton as the Trust’s new Chief Nurse. I know Sarah's leadership experience, partnership work across Surrey, and work to improve quality and safety through a focus on culture, leadership and governance, will lead the Trust forward into the next stage of its journey. Importantly Sarah will also be a key role model of our Trust values, and compassionate, inclusive leadership. I look forward to working with her and welcoming her to SASH next Spring.
"In the interim Katrina O'Shea will continue as the Trust's Acting Chief Nurse, and I want to pay tribute to her for the outstanding contribution she continues to make in overseeing and leading our nursing and midwifery services and workforce."
Sarah Burton said: “I’m really looking forward to joining SASH and working alongside teams across all its services. Patient safety, experience and outcomes are at the heart of my approach, alongside a strong commitment to inclusion and staff wellbeing. When our people feel valued and supported, they are well placed to deliver outstanding care for patients and families. I’m excited to join the organisation and build further on the Trust’s strengths”