New director of nursing at St Andrew’s Healthcare

St Andrew’s Healthcare (STAH) has appointed Catherine Vichare as director of nursing.

Vichare (pictured) has more than 20 years’ experience in nursing and has worked at the complex mental health charity for eight years, most recently as clinical director in its outpatients service.

She has led services across multiple NHS and independent healthcare providers and in a variety of settings, including community mental health, policy and training development, and secure inpatient services.

She said a key objective was to bring the charity’s nursing body together as one professional group and elevate nursing representation at all levels of the organisation, as well as at local and national forums.

‘Having worked within a number of different roles within the charity and in the NHS, I can bring a unique perspective to the role of director of nursing, one which understands the fine balance between improving quality nursing care, while bringing efficiencies and innovations that improve the patient experience across our service user groups,’ she added.

STAH CEO Dr Vivienne McVey said: ‘Catherine has always maintained her nursing throughout her St Andrew’s career and nurtured wonderful therapeutic relationships with her patients, with some wonderful hope and recovery stories. She has an extremely caring and compassionate nature, which is why she was perfect as our new director of nursing.’