A PRIVATE Dorchester hospital has welcomed a new chief.

Theresa Starling has been appointed as the new executive director of BMI The Winterbourne Hospital.

Mrs Starling, who has worked as nurse at a number of NHS hospitals, said: “I’m delighted to have joined BMI The Winterbourne Hospital. I’m looking forward to developing the already excellent facilities and increasing the services we offer with the local community.”

The hospital, in Herringston Road, provides patients access to private care through medical insurance and options to pay for their own care.

Mrs Starling plans to increase the complexity of surgery offered by developing the high dependency unit at the hospital.

She added: “The hospital has huge potential and while there is no direct competition, we must strive to be the best and offer our patients state of the art facilities.’ “We do have space to expand and using the high dependency unit to its full potential will allow us to increase the complexity of the surgery and treatment we offer.

“I am also in the process of refurbishing the hospital’s wards and waiting areas which I hope will improve our patient’s positive experience of being in the hospital.”

Mrs Starling is joined in the senior management team by Jenny Bright, acting head of clinical services.