Sir Stuart Rose to mentor NHS to help improve failing hospitals

Ex-chief executive of Marks & Spencer Sir Stuart Rose has been appointed a health adviser to the NHS to help improve under-performing UK hospitals.

Sir Stuart will help improve organisational structures at failing hospitals and recruit new talent.

Sir Stuart, who is also the chairman of Ocado, will submit a report by the end of the year and will not be paid until then.

Sir Stuart said: “Clearly the NHS is a very different institution from M&S, but leadership, motivating staff and creating a culture where people are empowered to do things differently are crucial to the success of any organisation, and I’m looking forward to helping in any way I can.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Everyone wants the peace of mind of knowing their local hospital offers good care – so turning round hospitals where this is not the case is a critical priority for me as Health Secretary.

“Good care should never depend on your postcode, which is why new Ofsted-style hospital inspections are so important.

“But the difference between good and bad care can often lie in leadership, which is why I am delighted that one of the country’s most inspirational leaders has agreed to advise me on how we can attract and retain the brightest and best managers into the NHS so we transform the culture in under-performing hospitals.”