Baroness Neuberger when she was appointed chair of UCLH in February 2019 

BARONESS Julia Neuberger has been appointed chairwoman of the Whittington following the death of Steve Hitchins last month.

The life peer for Primrose Hill said she was “delighted” as she had a “soft spot” for the Highgate hospital and its staff.

She will continue in her post as the current chairwoman of University College London Hospitals that she took up in February this year.

The decision to appoint the Baroness – a former chairwoman of Camden and Islington Community NHS trust in the 1990s –  was made by NHS Improvement on behalf of NHS England.

Regional Director of the NHS in London, Sir David Sloman – a former chief executive of the Whittington – said: “Julia will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to this significant role at Whittington Health. I look forward to working together come April.”

Baroness Neuberger – a former Lib Dem who has sat on the crossbenches since 2011 – will stand down as senior rabbi of West London Synagogue in April 2020.

Steve Hitchins died suddenly in September aged 68.