The Chairman of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald, John Barnes, has announced that he is to step down from his post at the end of January.
NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald is the working name of the local NHS Primary Care Trust for the Lewes and Wealden districts, as well as Eastbourne Borough.
Mr Barnes decided some time ago not to seek a further term of office in October 2010, and with a new five year plan near to agreement he feels it is sensible for whoever succeeds him it to take charge before the plan comes into effect at the start of the new financial and working year next April.
Mr Barnes took up the Chairmanship in October 2006, taking over and bringing together the two predecessor PCTs, Eastbourne Downs and Sussex Downs and Weald.
These organisations were heading for a £35 million deficit and were rated as weak on quality of services.
Mr Barnes said:
"The position we inherited in 2006 has been turned around, with services for East Sussex Downs and Weald now rated as fair and the books balanced.
Thanks to a great deal of hard work by the board, staff and interested local people we have laid the basis for a major move forward.
I feel that the foundations are now in place for an organisation which will pioneer the best way of coping with an ageing population, a challenge we face across East Sussex.
I have enjoyed my time at the helm, but the time has come to move on."
Mr Barnes plans to focus on a number of academic projects, as well as several ambitious fundraising commitments.
He added:
"I am grateful to my colleagues on the Board and to all those within NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald who have worked hard to transform our PCT into one that can look forward with confidence to transforming the services we commission and helping deliver a high quality service to the people we serve.
I suspect I am going to miss my work with the NHS greatly, but shall hope to find a way of continuing to take a constructive interest in its future."
Mike Wood, Chief Executive of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald, said:
"I would like to thank John for all his hard work over the past few years.
I know that many people are sad to see him step down, but I fully agree with John's position that his successor needs to be in place at the start of our new plan for the next five years.
We face a big challenge over the coming years to continue to improve and expand services whilst growth in funding for the NHS is set to slow and even stop."
Details of the process of appointing a successor to John Barnes are currently being finalised, with the aim to have a new Chair in place as soon as possible.
