OXFORD'S largest NHS trust has this week welcomed a new medical chief tasked with ensuring care standards at the county’s major hospitals.

Professor Meghana Pandit took up her role as Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) new Medical Director on Wednesday following her appointment in September 2018.

The new role will see Professor Pandit return to Oxford after spending time at both the John Radcliffe and Churchill during her training.

Speaking this week she said: ""I am delighted to be joining the team at OUH.

"I have very happy memories of my time in Oxford and I am really looking forward to using the skills and experience which I have gained during my career to date in my new role as medical director.

"The trust has huge strengths as a centre for research and specialist treatment, as well as providing local hospital services for the people of Oxfordshire, and I am looking forward to working with you all to help meet the needs of the communities which we serve."

Professor Pandit will join the trust, which runs the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospital in Oxford, after leaving her post as chief medical officer and deputy chief executive at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, which in August was told it ‘requires improvement’ by the health watchdog (the CQC) for the second time in three years.

Speaking about the appointment, OUH chief executive Dr Bruno Holthof, said: "Meghana is an outstanding medical leader who will strengthen and enrich the trust board.

"She has a wealth of experience in medical leadership and management which I have no doubt will strengthen our senior management team."

OUH is currently rated 'good' by the CQC.