IT’S all change at Haslemere’s Holy Cross Hospital, which welcomed new chief executive Ross White at the end of last month – coinciding with the conclusion of its celebrations to mark a century of service.

After 40 years of dedicated service, Christopher Hinton has decided to call it a day. Mr Hinton, who joined in May 1978, has been at the helm for some of the most eventful years of the last century.

In 1989, Holy Cross trustees approved the sale of some of the grounds to fund the opening of a new hospital in 1992, which was purpose built to provide care and promote the independence of patients severely disabled by neurological conditions.

The highlight of the centenary celebrations came last October, when Princess Alexandra officially opened St Hugh’s – a new learning and development centre that will be used as a dedicated training space to teach staff the specialist skills they need.

Paying tribute, trustee Sister Mary Agnes said: “As we reached the end of our centenary celebrations, we also found ourselves saying farewell to a man of great integrity and commitment to Holy Cross Hospital.

“Christopher Hinton, our chief executive for the past 40 years, has worked hard, joyfully and quietly.

“He has seen us through many changes including near closures due to old buildings.

“He has led us through changes in patient type from surgery to geriatric and finally to the neurological centre that we now have.

“Chris encouraged the ongoing education of all staff and kept himself fully aware of what was going on in the ‘hospital world’ around the country.

“Always at the forefront of all that he did was the mission of the Sisters who own the hospital.

“He instilled into all members of staff the ethos that makes Holy Cross what it is.

“The Sisters are sad to see him leave but know that he will always support the hospital in whatever way he can.

“We wish him a happy and fulfilled retirement.”

Dr White has joined Holy Cross after working for nine years at Mildmay Mission Hospital, in East London.

Mildmay is a 150-year-old charitable institution offering services to people living with HIV and has a strong focus on neuro-rehabilitation.

Following an early career as a neutron physicist in Grenoble, France, Dr White returned to the UK and completed an MBA at Nottingham University.

He has since worked as a director for two hospice organisations, The Arts Council of England and The Anne Frank Trust.

Dr Ross said: “As the Care Quality Commission assessed in 2017, Holy Cross is an outstanding hospital. It is the inspiration of faith, partnership and charity, combined with skilled, experienced, and compassionate staff and volunteers, that makes it a special place.  

“Our patients have severe disability and extremely complex needs, and having already spoken to some of their relatives, one soon realises that each patient here is someone else’s treasure.

“I look forward to ensuring Holy Cross Hospital continues to provide the best environment for their well-being.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux led the tributes to Mr Hinton at a special reception for staff, patients and supporters, to conclude the centenary celebrations and welcome Dr White.

The reception completed a busy year of activity, including a centenary exhibition at Haslemere Museum last September, in which the hospital has reflected on its 100 years of care and its changing role from TB sanatorium to state-of-the-art neuro-rehabilitation centre.

Mr Hinton said at his farewell: “It’s fitting that as we come together to conclude what has been a productive centenary year, Holy Cross Hospital now looks forward to its next chapter with new chief executive, Ross White who succeeds me as I retire and who I’m delighted to welcome.

“The Friends of Holy Cross give a strong sense of how the hospital is supported and without them we would not have completed our ‘Never out of Breath’ project last year, raising an amazing £210,000 to benefit patients who need oxygen or suction support.

“Patients with those needs now receive it comfortably and safely through an integrated piped system rather than from cumbersome tanks.”

Mr More-Molyneux congratulated Mr Hinton on his achievements over 40 years at Holy Cross and commended the hospital on its “warm and caring atmosphere”.