Debbie Fleming is the first chief executive for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, established on 1 October 2020.  Debbie was appointed chief executive for Poole Hospital in 2014 where she served for five years before being appointed as chief executive to the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals.  From January 2019, she led the merger of the two organisations, as joint chief executive over both. 

Having been a chief executive for 19 years, both within the acute sector and various commissioning organisations, Debbie has gained significant experience in managing large-scale strategic change.  Debbie was formerly chief executive for Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust (PCT) then in 2010 was appointed chief executive for Hampshire PCT.  She went on to hold the post of area director (Wessex) in NHS England, responsible for overseeing the setting up of the new “NHS architecture” across Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. 

Debbie has spent much of her career bringing together teams and establishing new organisations.  She loves working with people, and always prioritises creating a positive environment, whereby everyone can give of their best.  She is a trained coach and facilitator, and throughout her career, has been committed to developing leaders. Debbie spent seven years as the chair of the Thames Valley and Wessex Leadership Academy and is currently a member of the NHS South West Leadership and Talent Management Board.  

As well as leading a large foundation trust, Debbie plays a vital role in the Dorset Integrated Care System (ICS), working with partners to transform services and implement the recommendations of the Dorset Clinical Services Review.  She chairs the Dorset Cancer Partnership and leads on the transformation of Planned Care Services within the ICS.  

Debbie studied sociology at the University of Southampton, and has a master’s degree in business administration.