The retirement of Armidale hospital general manager Wendy Mulligan last year has resulted in the local health district shifting a couple of its leaders north along the New England Highway.

It saw Tamworth boss Catharine Death take the reins in Armidale and across the Northern Tablelands’ services in 2018.

And this week, Hunter New England Health announced Yvonne Patricks will oversee Tamworth.

Ms Patricks has been the general manager for the Hunter Valley sector for a number of years, overseeing hospitals and multi-purpose services in Muswellbrook, Scone, Singleton, Merriwa and Murrurundi.

She will take over the Peel sector role next month.

Graeme Kershaw has been the acting general manager since Ms Death’s departure in October.

The local health district’s director of regional health services, Susan Heyman, welcomed Ms Patricks to the role.

“I am pleased to announce Yvonne Patricks has been appointed to the role of Peel sector general manager,” she said.

“Yvonne has been the general manager for the Hunter Valley sector for a number of years and will bring a wealth of knowledge and skills with her to this position.

“The role was made vacant by Catharine Death, who recently replaced Wendy Mulligan as Tablelands sector manager.

“Yvonne will start in the position on February 4.”