NHS Gloucestershire integrated care board have announced that Marie Crofts has been appointed as chief nursing officer.

Marie is currently chief nurse at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and has been a nurse for 39 years. Her senior manager experience includes time at commissioning and provider organisations, including director of quality and nursing at the former 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, delivering mental health and learning disability services to people in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

Mary Hutton, chief executive, NHS Gloucestershire said: "I'm delighted to welcome Marie as our new chief nursing officer. She brings a wealth of experience from across the NHS, and I look forward to working with her to transform the quality of support and care we provide to local people and improve the health and wellbeing of our population.

"She will be focused on working with partners to develop and support the wonderful nursing workforce we have in Gloucestershire, and ensuring we build a bright future for the profession."

Marie said: "I'm really excited to be returning to the NHS in Gloucestershire. I'm passionate about improving the care and experience of patients, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the One Gloucestershire integrated care system, particularly amongst nursing, midwifery and allied health professions, to build on the excellent work already taking place here."

Marie's appointment comes as Marion Andrews-Evans steps down from the role in the Autumn.

Mary added: "I would like to thank Marion for her commitment over 46 years of nursing and particularly for her dedicated service to the NHS in Gloucestershire and across the South West."

Details are still being finalised, but Marie will join the organisation later this year.