In a joint statement, the trusts said the appointment built on the successful partnership already established between Barnsley and Rotherham, creating further opportunities to share expertise, develop colleagues and strengthen services across South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire. 

Mark Bailey, chair of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, and Dr Mike Richmond, chair of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Our three organisations already have a strong track record of collaboration, including through the Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic Centre, which is helping reduce waiting times and improve access to planned care. Richard's appointment builds on those foundations, creating further opportunities to share expertise, strengthen services and develop colleagues where this benefits patients.

‘Each trust will remain an independent NHS foundation trust, with its own board, Executive Team and statutory responsibilities. Patients will continue to access services exactly as they do today, and decisions about local services will continue to be made locally.'

A former consultant physician specialising in diabetes and endocrinology, Dr Jenkins has served as chief executive of Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust since 2017 and has led Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust through one of the NHS's longest-established shared chief executive arrangements since 2020.