Maria Knowles

Maria Knowles – Head of Service Development 

Maria Knowles is the Head of Service Development, responsible for shaping and delivering innovative solutions that improve patient flow and integrated care pathways across hospital and community settings. 

Background and expertise 

Maria’s expertise spans operational leadership, service transformation and stakeholder engagement, ensuring high-quality outcomes for patients and health systems. 

With over seven years of experience in hospital flow, admission avoidance and community services, Maria began her journey at Xyla as a Business Manager for the North East, where she managed teams working directly on hospital discharge, built strategic relationships and drove service growth.  

Maria has contributed to regional initiatives aimed at reducing delayed discharges and improving patient experience. She holds a strong background in healthcare service development and continually enhances her knowledge through industry conferences and collaborative projects that bridge gaps between acute and community care. 

With over 32 years of combined experience delivering solutions for the NHS, Maria brings deep expertise and a commitment to improving outcomes across the system. Above all, she is dedicated to putting patients at the heart of every decision. 

Hear from Maria 

“I’m passionate about designing services that make a real difference for patients and providers. What drives me is the opportunity to create solutions that improve flow, reduce pressure on hospitals and support people to receive care in the right place at the right time.”