Sascha, formerly Deputy Chief Midwifery Officer for England, will be starting her role in the New Year, strengthening maternity and neonatal leadership at the Trust.
A range of improvements are underway in Leeds following 2025 CQC rating of ‘inadequate’ for maternity and ‘requires improvement’ for neonatal services. An Independent Review into maternity and neonatal services in Leeds has also begun, led by Donna Ockenden.
Sascha said: “I’m looking forward to joining Leeds Teaching Hospitals and working alongside my new colleagues to continue improving maternity and neonatal services across the city.
“I recognise the challenges that lie ahead, but I have already been struck by the determination and commitment of teams in Leeds to deliver the changes families want and deserve.
“We will work openly and transparently with families, the Independent Review team and our regulators, ensuring that we learn, improve and make meaningful, lasting changes.
“Much of this work has already begun, and I know there is still more to do. I am committed to building on that foundation by ensuring the voices of families, communities and colleagues help shape our future direction.
“We all share the same goal: providing high-quality, safe, compassionate and equitable care for every family we serve.”
Beverley Geary, Chief Nurse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I’m delighted that Sascha is joining us as Director of Midwifery. She brings a wealth of experience in improving maternity services and a deep commitment to ensuring women, babies and families receive outstanding care. We know further improvements are needed here in Leeds and we look forward to working together as we continue to transform our maternity and neonatal services.”
Sascha joins Leeds from York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she has been Director of Midwifery since August 2023. She played a key leadership role in the improvement of their maternity services, which were upgraded from inadequate to good by the Care Quality Commission in September 2026.
Her career also includes working as a Maternity Improvement Advisor for NHS Improvement, and as Director of Midwifery at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay, where again she led significant change and improvements in maternity services.