Our Chief Executive, Dr Liz Bishop, will retire on 28th March 2025 after 42 years of service in the NHS.
Liz joined The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in 2018 and led the successful opening of our new 11-storey flagship hospital, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool, on time and on budget in June 2020. It is now the linchpin in our unique networked model, operating from multiple sites across Cheshire and Merseyside to provide specialist, high-quality cancer care closer to home for the communities we serve.
She has been instrumental in developing the Trust into a leading research centre with first-in-human clinical trials, particularly in cancer vaccines, and new research partnerships including a biomedical research centre (BRC) with The Royal Marsden / ICR.
Liz has also been committed to collaboration and system-working, not just at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre but also through her leadership of Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance and Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostics Programme.
Since February 2024, she has held a joint role as Chief Executive of Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital as well as The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.
Both the Cancer Alliance and Diagnostics Programme have won national recognition for transforming services, taking innovative approaches and improving patient outcomes.
Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance has been particularly successful at reducing health inequalities through targeted interventions and campaigns. It has seen some of the greatest improvements nationally in early diagnosis of cancer and has won awards for its community partnerships raising awareness of cancer in underserved communities.
Cheshire and Merseyside patients also reported the highest levels of satisfaction nationally with cancer services in their area in the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2023.
Under Liz’s leadership, the Cheshire and Merseyside Diagnostics Programme has significantly reduced waiting times and is consistently one of the best performers nationally on six-week waits. This has been possible thanks to a relentless focus on productivity, strong collaboration and mutual aid to make best use of capacity and the successful rollout of 10 community diagnostic centres.
A cancer nurse by background, Liz joined the NHS 42 years ago. After many years caring for patients, Liz moved into management roles and held a number of senior roles at London teaching hospitals, driven by a desire to improve the experiences and outcomes of people with cancer.
Before joining The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Liz was Deputy Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden in London.
Dr Liz Bishop, Chief Executive of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said:
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has been a wonderfully inspiring place to work. I have been surrounded by unbelievably talented and dedicated teams who are totally committed to achieving the best for the patients and communities we serve.
There have been many highlights in my time here, including the opening of our new hospital in Liverpool. It has transformed cancer care in Cheshire and Merseyside by enabling us to deliver first-in-human clinical trials and services that were not possible without that proximity to critical and acute care in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital next door.
Our unique networked model means we have multiple sites across Cheshire and Merseyside. We have developed strong bonds with our neighbouring trusts and other system partners, and have looked at how we can support health and social care more broadly through mutual aid and the opening of Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre.
I will miss work but look forward to spending more time with those close to me once I retire.
Kathy Doran, Chair of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said:
Liz has been an inspirational leader. She always puts patients first and genuinely cares about improving health outcomes and making things better. She will leave a superb legacy here and has taken The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre from strength to strength since joining in 2018.
Liz has shown exceptional vision, focus and skilful leadership throughout her time here. Her commitment to thinking about the whole patient experience – not just the cancer treatment we provide here – means she has also worked in an incredibly collaborative way with health and social care partners nationally, regionally and locally.
On behalf of everyone at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, I want to express my sincere thanks to Liz for everything she has achieved.
Arrangements for the appointment of Liz’s successor will be announced in due course.
