HCA UK appoints new Chief Nursing Officer for The Harborne Hospital

HCA Healthcare UK (HCA UK) has appointed Claire Hubbard as Chief Nursing Officer for The Harborne Hospital – a new multi-specialty private hospital opening in Birmingham in 2024.

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

In her new role at The Harborne Hospital, part of HCA UK, Claire will be responsible for overseeing the overall operation of the clinical teams within the facility to deliver the highest standards of patient care, promoting and ensuring a culture of continual quality improvement and learning, and ensuring compliance with quality standards.

After completing Registered Nurse training at Barnet College of Nursing between 1992-1995, Claire 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. Claire obtained an MSc in Healthcare Management and Policy (Quality and Service Improvement) from HSMC, University of Birmingham, focusing her dissertation on workforce and burnout, and also completed a PG Certificate in Leadership following a competitive process to participate in the NHSI Aspiring Deputy Executive Nurse programme.

Prior to her arrival at HCA UK, Claire 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. With a track record of excellence across the field, from inpatient to acute care to surgery and community services, Claire will lead the nursing and allied health professional teams in the delivery of high quality, evidenced based, patient focused care.

The appointment comes at an exciting time for HCA UK as the organisation continues to enhance its proud heritage of providing complex, medical care and longstanding partnerships with the NHS, through the upcoming launch of The Harborne Hospital.

As a hub of medical and life sciences innovation, The Harborne Hospital in Birmingham continues HCA UK’s commitment to the care and improvement of human life, by making high-quality private care available to more patients.

Claire Hubbard, Chief Nursing Officer for The Harborne Hospital, HCA Healthcare UK said:

“After three decades of working within acute and community services, I am excited to bring my skills and experience to HCA Healthcare UK.

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, CEO of Joint Ventures, HCA Healthcare UK comments:

"We are excited to welcome Claire to HCA Healthcare UK, as The Harborne Hospital's Chief Nursing Officer. 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."