THE LEADER of the Royal Berkshire Hospital has been recognised for his contributions to healthcare and the community.
Steve McManus, chief executive officer of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust since 2017, has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Reading.
He was bestowed an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in a ceremony today, Wednesday, December 11.
It follows a career spanning nearly 40 years in the National Health Service; Mr McManus qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1990, before working in London and Oxford, completing his BA Hons in healthcare studies at Oxford Brookes University, and a postgraduate certificate in evidence-based healthcare from Oxford University.
In 2002 he moved into management, completing an MBA at Nottingham University Business School in 2006.
Following leadership roles at University Hospital Southampton, Imperial College Healthcare and Basildon & Thurrock University Teaching Hospital, Mr McManus took up the role of chief executive officer at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in 2017.
Since then, he has been “instrumental” in fostering formal links between the Royal Berks and the university, which help improve patient care.
The Health Innovation Partnership, formerly called the Joint Academic Board, has seen the launch of a joint Physician Associate programme; established 10 University Departments of Excellence within the hospital; and shared teaching and learning resources, including the recently opened Clinical Simulation and Training Suite.
Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, presented Mr McManus with his honorary degree.
She said: “Steve is an exemplary and compassionate leader and an unwavering advocate for continuous improvement.
“He embodies the belief that there is always room for progress, always a way to serve patients better, and always an opportunity to elevate the team and the organisation as a whole–Steve has been a driving force in the partnership between the University and the hospital trust.
“His vision has helped create a learning environment that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
“This commitment to education reflects his own lifelong love of learning. He thoroughly deserves this honorary degree.”
Mr McManus said: “I am hugely humbled and endlessly thankful for receiving this degree from the University of Reading.
“The honour is not for myself but for our amazing staff and volunteers at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, and our partners at the University.
“Our two organisations have already been able to achieve so much together through the Health Innovation Partnership, and I know moving forwards there is so much more we can to do to support our staff, our patients and our community.”
