Cherry West 

Chief Operating Officer

Cherry has worked in the NHS since 1981 and following a fulfilling and established clinical career spent time working in the field of academia and health services research.  In 1999 she moved into operational management, and having worked and studied in several London organisations, then moved to Norfolk.  In addition to studying at St Thomas', Cherry holds an MSc from University College London, as well as a postgraduate diploma, and MBA from Henley Management College.

Cherry joined the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as Service Manager in 2001.  At that time she was also involved with the planning and relocation of clinical services across three sites to the new PFI hospital.  For the past eight years, Cherry has worked as Divisional General Manager, initially managing all surgical areas and in her most recent post, acute and emergency medicine.

She supported the hospital in its successful application to become a foundation hospital and whilst in her last role led on a number of patient flow initiatives, and service redesign projects including the implementation of national priorities relating to stroke and heart attack services.

Cherry joined Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust in January 2011.