30 May 2025

Welcoming Kirsty Coates: Our New Partnership Director for Sussex MSK Health

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South Asian man sat talking to a care navigator in a medial consultation room

Here and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust are delighted to officially welcome Kirsty Coates as Partnership Director for Sussex MSK Health. Kirsty also joins Here’s Enabling Team, bringing a strong track record in service transformation, operational leadership and cross-sector partnership working. 

Kirsty is already well-known to many Here.

As our former Head of Operations, she played a key role in shaping innovative services and led the organisation’s COVID-19 vaccination programme. Since then, she has continued to build experience in senior roles across the NHS and voluntary sector, most recently as Operations Director at Social Tech Trust, where she focused on using technology to drive social impact.

Photo of two white women outside with trees in the background. stood next to each other and smiling towards the camera. The woman on the left has long hair and the woman on the right has a short bobbed hair cut.

 

In her new role, Kirsty will work in partnership with colleagues across Here, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and the wider system to lead the development of Sussex MSK Health — an integrated service for people with musculoskeletal conditions across Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. Her focus will be on supporting collaboration, improving outcomes, and ensuring people can access the right care at the right time. 

Kirsty’s return to Here is a real asset for the organisation. She brings energy, vision, and deep experience in building partnerships that improve care. It’s been fantastic to see the impact she’s already making in her first weeks, and I’m excited to see what comes next for the MSK service under her leadership.

Helen Curr
CEO of Here

 

Sussex MSK Health is an innovative partnership bringing together specialist expertise to deliver personalised care support for musculoskeletal health. We are really pleased to have Kirsty join as the new Partnership Director and know her leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of this new service and in driving continuous improvements in outcomes for our patients.

Kate Pilcher
Chief Operating Officer, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Photo of two white women outside with trees in the background. stood next to each other and smiling towards the camera. The woman on the left has long hair and the woman on the right has a short bobbed hair cut.

 

Kirsty Coates added: “It’s a real pleasure to return to Here at such an exciting and important time. I’m passionate about working in partnership to develop person-centred, sustainable services, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the next chapter of Sussex MSK Health alongside such a dedicated and talented team.”

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