JO Cubbon has announced that she is to retire as chief executive at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, in the New Year.

During over six years of her leadership, Musgrove has been graded as an outstanding hospital by the Care Quality Commission, has regularly been among the top performing hospitals regionally and nationally, and has seen numerous service improvements and accolades, while Ms Cubbon was named as one of the top chief executives in the country.

Ms Cubbon, a former GB athlete, said: “I feel the hospital has a number of important opportunities to deliver over the next five years and a chief executive who is able to be at the helm during that whole period is, I believe, crucial.

“This is something I feel I’m not able to give. After more than six fantastic years in the post I feel now is the right time with a new chairman, Colin Drummond, in post, to support him in the selection of a new chief executive who can take Musgrove to the next stage of growing and delivering a great hospital for our patients.

“This isn’t a decision I’ve taken lightly and it’s one I’ve taken some time to come to, but I feel it’s the right decision for the hospital and me.

“I very much intend that it’s ‘business as usual’ until then as we move forward in delivering the best possible patient care for all those coming to Musgrove.”