Since her appointment as Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in March 2008, the Trust says she has ‘has guided Alder Hey to become a leading player in children’s health both nationally and on a world stage’. It said: “Alder Hey became an NHS Foundation Trust in her first year as CEO, and she has since successfully led it through a significant transformation, moving Alder Hey into a brand new hospital in 2015, alongside developing pioneering research and innovation facilities within a dedicated healthcare campus for children and young people.”
In addition to her role at Alder Hey, Louise Shepherd has led a number of national and regional programmes, including as Co-Chair of the National Children’s Hospital Alliance (since 2020), Senior Responsible officer for the Cheshire and Mersey Children’s Transformation Programme, ‘Beyond’, and the establishment of the initial Sustainability and Transformation Programme for Cheshire and Merseyside in 2016/17. She was appointed Chair of the National Children’s Transformation Programme by NHSE in March 2023.
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust added: “Throughout Louise’s 16 years at the helm, Alder Hey has continued to deliver the highest standards of care and support to children and young people – reflected in 2014 when the Trust was awarded Freedom of the City of Liverpool. She also calmly steered the Trust through the COVID-19 pandemic when Alder Hey treated adult patients for the first time. In recognition of the dedication, sacrifice and heroism, shown by local health workers throughout the pandemic, Alder Hey was among four NHS Trusts awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough by Sefton Council in 2023.”
Other memorable highlights include welcoming HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip when opening the new Hospital in 2016, hosting the visits of several past and present prime Ministers and Secretaries of State, and greeting other royal guests, including Catherine, Princess of Wales (then the Duchess of Cambridge) on her first public visit in February 2012.
In 2017, Louise Shepherd was awarded a CBE for her services to healthcare. She recently received an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.
She said: “This was a difficult decision to make after everything we have done together, but I firmly believe I’m leaving Alder Hey when it’s in the best shape it’s ever been. I also believe Alder Hey has a really clear vision for the future. It has a fantastic Board, exciting and ambitious plans, fantastic leaders, great people and strong, supportive partners. Everything it needs to move forward with positivity and hope for the future.”