Oxford Health's chief nurse is set to join Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) as chief nursing officer in December.

With 39 years of service, Marie Crofts has been a critical part of the Oxford Health team since June 2019.

During her tenure, she always prioritised staff and patient wellbeing, supporting and working with teams to provide excellent care.

In the heat of the global pandemic, Ms Crofts served diligently as the director of infection prevention and control (DIPC).

She worked in close collaboration with the IPC team to keep staff members regularly updated with essential advice, thus ensuring their safety.

Additionally, she advocated for staff immunisations, supported flu campaigns, and encouraged employees to get vaccinated.

Ms Crofts also focused on enriching patient safety, empowering staff through the Restorative Just and Learning Culture (RJLC) movement.

She continuously promoted this initiative, fostering a psychologically safe space that fosters learning from incidents.

The Learning Together for a Safer Tomorrow programme (also known as PSIRF), which Ms Crofts backed, has fostered a compassionate, kind, inclusive culture within the board.

In her position, Crofts relished the opportunity to interact with colleagues, both in clinical and non-clinical roles.

As executive sponsor, Ms Crofts worked closely with the Race Equality Network and EDI team to champion racial discrimination in nursing and other clinical professions.

She honoured outstanding contributions by presenting awards such as the Exceptional People Awards.

She also initiated and incorporated the DAISY and BEE awards to acknowledge the valuable contribution of clinical staff.

A farewell lunch on December 7 gave colleagues the opportunity to bid Ms Crofts goodbye.

Attendees highlighted her sterling leadership during the Covid pandemic and praised her crucial collaboration with the IPC.

In her speech at the event, Ms Crofts thanked colleagues including nurse consultant infection prevention and control Helen Bosley for their support during a challenging time.

She also expressed gratitude to her "right hand person" Simon Ball for his partnership and assistance.

Oxford Health have expressed their gratitude for her contributions.

Following a recruitment process, Britta Klinck has been appointed as the new chief nursing officer for the Trust, set to assume the role in December.