New boss arrives at George Eliot

Chairman started last week

A NEW chairman has been appointed to the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust.

Prem Singh takes up the role in addition to his position as chairman of Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.

His appointment to the new role was approved by NHS regulator NHS Improvement.

Mr Singh, who started last week, said: “I am excited by the opportunity to support the Chief Executive and her executive team in delivering high quality healthcare while responding to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

“Alongside my position in Derbyshire, my new responsibilities at the George Eliot offer a great opportunity to share health and social care learning from both organisations.

“The experience of working in a new regional health and care system in North Warwickshire will bring great benefit to us all. I look forward to leading the trust board as the hospital continues to focus on delivering its key targets while also working closely with local health and social care partners.”

Chief Executive Kath Kelly added: “We welcome Prem to the Trust as chairman and are confident that his knowledge and leadership style will complement the culture we have at the Eliot and will strengthen our leadership team.

“This will ensure we continue to drive our strategy of providing high quality, safe integrated care to our local population.

“Prem brings a breadth of experience across both health and social care which will add tremendous value to the hospital.”

Mr Singh takes on the role following the sudden death of previous chairman Stuart Annan in October.

Popular Mr Annan joined the trust as a nonexecutive director in 2006 before becoming chairman in 2009.

He had been due to step down towards the end of last year but was keen to remain in post until a suitable successor had been found.