Chief executive of NHS trust in south Essex celebrates 40 years of service

Yahoo

18-05-2025

The chief executive of an NHS trust in south Essex has celebrated 40 years of service in the health sector.
Matthew Hopkins, who began his career as a nurse, marked the milestone on International Nurses Day, on May 12.
Mr Hopkins, now the chief executive of Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, started his journey in 1985 as a student nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
He began as a junior nurse on the haematology ward, caring for patients with leukaemia and other blood disorders.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Hopkins said: "Caring for patients when they need you most is the greatest privilege.
"That experience has shaped every role I've held since.
"There are many patients I still remember vividly, especially as a young nurse myself, the young people diagnosed with cancer, facing their darkest days with remarkable courage."
He shared a formative experience from his early years, adding: "I recall one situation where I knew a patient's blood results weren't good, but I followed protocol and left it to the consultant to share the news the next day.
"My patient could sense something was wrong and called me out on it.
"That moment taught me the profound importance of authenticity and transparency.
"Being true to yourself and honest with those in your care. It's a principle I've carried throughout my leadership career."
After 16 years working as a nurse across London hospitals, Mr Hopkins transitioned from bedside care to executive leadership.
This shift brought significant challenges, particularly in ensuring that patient voices and clinical perspectives remained central to decision-making.
He said: "It can be dangerously easy to make decisions at management level that simply don't translate to the clinical environment or enhance patient experience.
"Ensuring that patients and frontline teams remain at the heart of every conversation has always been my priority."
Over the past four decades, Mr Hopkins has witnessed the transformation of nursing as a profession, with more specialist nurses taking on highly skilled roles.
He said: "Today's nurses possess a vastly expanded skill set compared to when I trained, more than most people realise."
Mr Hopkins's journey from nurse to chief executive, celebrated on International Nurses Day, highlights the powerful impact that nurses can have in hospitals, both while caring for patients and as leaders in their field.
His career path serves as a testament to the essential role that nurses play in hospital care and the importance of leadership at every level of the NHS.