NHS Trust Seeks New Chairperson

The NHS Trust in Lincolnshire which cares for patients at home and helps to keep them out of hospital is seeking a new Chairperson.

Dr Don White, Chairman of Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) will be stepping down in March 2015.  Dr White has held the post since LCHS first became an NHS Trust in 2011 and for two years prior to that as the organisation progressed from being part of the former NHS Lincolnshire (Primary Care Trust) to becoming an independent NHS Trust.

Dr White has overseen the organisation on its continuing journey towards Foundation Trust status, through its registration with the Care Quality Commission, and scrutinising the delivery of safe, high quality health care, whilst ensuring the trust meets all of its financial responsibilities from its budget of £110 million.

Dr White said: “I feel very proud of everything LCHS has achieved since becoming an independent trust in 2011. It has been a challenging time but I leave LCHS as a mature organisation with a strong leadership team where patients are the focus both for the Board and the staff who truly live their “Patients First” values.  I shall be sorry to go but I know I leave the trust in a sound position to progress its aspiration to become a Foundation Trust.”

The trust’s 2,300 staff care for thousands of patients every day from 67 premises across the county, as well as in patients’ homes.

LCHS will be working with the NHS Trust Development Authority (TDA) to seek a new Chairperson.  The new Chairperson will continue to ensure that the Board is focused on the provision of safe and sustainable community healthcare services across the county and beyond.  The Chair will oversee the work of the trust as a key partner with the Lincolnshire Health and Care programme in tackling the financial and quality challenges faced in the county through integrating health and social care and developing innovative ways of delivering services.

LCHS Chief Executive, Andrew Morgan, said: “LCHS is looking to recruit a Chairperson who will bring strong strategic leadership skills to the Board and the organisation.  They will embody our values through their leadership to ensure every part of the organisation continues to focus on patient safety, compassionate care and high performance.  This very important role will help the communities we serve to recognise the part that LCHS plays in caring for people where they live and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.”

Anyone interested in this challenging role can find out more through any of the following channels:

• Within the Trust – For an informal and confidential discussion with LCHS Chief Executive Andrew Morgan regarding the role, please contact Rachel Lane on 01427 816558
• Gatenby Sanderson is helping us to identify potential candidates. If you would like a confidential discussion about the role, contact Robin Staveley, Partner, on 0113 205 6076 or email Robin.Staveley@gatenbysanderson.com.  Alternatively, contact Helene Usherwood on 0121 6445717 or email Helene.usherwood@gatenbysanderson.com
• With the NHS TDA – to request an information pack or for general enquiries, contact Miriam Walker on 0113 254 6890 or by emailing Miriam.walker@nhs.net

The closing date is January 8, 2015, and the process will include preliminary interviews and an opportunity for shortlisted candidates to meet with key health and social care leaders in the county prior to the interview panel in February.