A new Non-executive director has been appointed for NHS Hastings and Rother by the Appointments Committee.
Charles Ellis worked in the NHS for 24 years, including as Director of service planning for East Sussex Hospital NHS Trust, before retiring early because of ill health in 2004.
Since then he has worked with the local NHS on a number of major projects.
More recently he has established CE Access, a business offering consultancy, audits and advice to employers on meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
A resident of Hastings, Charles is married to Liz and has a son aged 22 and a daughter aged 18. Mr Ellis is involved in voluntary groups and charities, including chairing the Hastings and Rother Disability Forum and is a member of the public patient involvement group for the development of the Station Plaza Health Centre in Hastings.
“I am looking forward to using my experience of the NHS and my knowledge of the voluntary sector, particularly issues affecting disabled people, to help NHS Hastings and Rother deliver the best possible treatment and care to local people,” says Mr Ellis.
Charles Everett, who chairs NHS Hastings and Rother, says:
“I am delighted Charles is joining the Board. His wide experience of healthcare planning and finance, coupled with his extensive knowledge of disabled issues, will enable him to make insightful contributions to our work as we look to continue to improve health and health services in a difficult economic climate.”
Mr Ellis’ appointment is from October 2009 to September 2011. He will receive £7,882 a year.
He has not been involved in any political activity in the past five years and holds no other ministerial appointments.
The appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner of Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.
All Non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.
NHS Hastings and Rother (the working name of Hasting and Rother Primary Trust) was established on 1 October 2006 and covers the Hastings borough and Rother district, which together have a population of around 170,000.
NHS Hastings and Rother holds the NHS budget for this area and funds NHS services provided by GPs, pharmacists, dentists and opticians, and treatment and care in hospitals.
It also provides and funds a wide range of health services in community hospitals, health centres, clinics, and in people’s homes.
Its budget for the current year is £321 million.
