A new nursing director has been selected for Huddersfield and Calderdale hospitals.

Julie Dawes has been appointed to take charge of the 2,000 nurses at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital.

Julie, who has joined Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust from Portsmouth Hospitals Trust, will succeed current nursing director, Helen Thomson, who retires next year after 25 years with the trust.

Julie is originally from Hebden Bridge and has worked in hospitals in Leeds, Southampton and Portsmouth.

During her time at Portsmouth complaints about nursing care fell by 50% in 12 months, with the trust gaining “most improved” status for its cancer care.

She said: “I am really looking forward to joining the trust and returning home to my roots after 25 years in the south of the country.

“I am strongly committed to continuing to improve patient care and hope that my expertise in patient safety, patient experience and quality will help the trust and its nursing population build on the work it has already done in becoming an excellent organisation.”

Outgoing director Helen, from Lindley, joined the former Huddersfield NHS Trust as head of midwifery in 1989.

She is a registered nurse and registered midwife and midwifery teacher, and has been director of nursing since the merger of the Calderdale and Huddersfield trusts in 2001.

She has also been deputy chief executive since 2006 and in 2012 was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

She is renowned for being “the complete nurse” based on the traditional nursing values of care with compassion.

Helen said: “Patients and their families must always be cared for with compassion.

“They rely on nurses so much at very difficult times in their lives and how we care for them and support them is what makes all the difference.”

Chief executive Owen Williams, said: “In Helen, the trust’s board was fortunate to have a professional, caring, deeply dedicated nurse advising us on the best way forward for our patients through many NHS changes over the years. She will be missed by us all.

“I look forward to welcoming Julie in April next year and she will bring with her a wealth of experience that will continue to take nursing forward in the years to come.”