Golden Jubilee Chief Executive Jill Young has retired, bringing to an end 14 years of leading Scotland’s flagship hospital.

Jill clocked out for the last time on Friday (30 November 2018), more than 40 years after starting her NHS career.

Having started out as an Auxiliary Nurse, Jill’s focus on redesign and modernisation of services saw her quickly work her way up the nursing and management ranks, eventually being appointed Chief Executive of the Golden Jubilee in July 2004.

Jill said: “It has been my honour and my privilege to be Chief Executive of the Golden Jubilee for the past 14 years.

“It has undoubtedly been the most exceptional job I could have wished for and, although it has had many challenges over the years, I could not have asked for better support.

“I will miss the Golden Jubilee and being a part of NHSScotland. Although, what better time to leave than on the 70th anniversary of the NHS, my own NHS 40th Anniversary, and the 10th Anniversary of our heart and lung service.”

Under Jill’s leadership, the Golden Jubilee has:

• continually expanded to meet the needs of NHSScotland, growing from just 3,000 procedures in its first year to more than 55,000 procedures in 2017/18;
• become home to major centres for orthopaedics, heart and lung, ophthalmology and diagnostic imaging;
• opened dedicated centres for research and innovation; and
• re-branded as the Golden Jubilee with a renewed focus on leading quality, research and innovation for the NHS.

Jill paid tribute to the Golden Jubilee’s dedicated staff for making her job “worthwhile and fulfilling”, adding: “The Golden Jubilee has some of the most passionate, hardworking and dedicated teams I have ever worked.

“I would like to thank every single member of staff, old and new, as I could not have done my job and delivered so much without knowing that I could rely on their expert advice, guidance, support and friendship.

“I am leaving the Golden Jubilee in safe hands, and I am confident that it will continue operating at the highest level and delivering exceptional research, quality and innovation for the people of Scotland and beyond.”

Susan Douglas-Scott, Chair of the Golden Jubilee, commented: “Jill has dedicated her entire career to improving quality and safety through the redesign of services, constantly looking for and encouraging new and innovative ways to ensure patients receive excellent care.

“All of us here at the Golden Jubilee wish Jill a long and happy retirement, and know that she will always be a part
of our Golden Jubilee family.”

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