Chairman re-appointed at West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust

18 June 2003

The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn MP, has re-appointed Veronica Worrall as chairman of West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust.

Mrs Worrall was first appointed as chairman of the Trust in May 2000.  Her new appointment starts on 1 November and lasts until 31 October 2007.  

“I have enjoyed my work as chairman over the past three years, and am delighted to have been re-appointed,” she said.

“I have been pleased to witness the success the Trust has had in a number of areas, including developing partnerships with other health organisations.  With the advent of Primary Care Trusts and the associated devolution of power within the health service to a grassroots level, this is a good time to continue that process and forge even closer links with social services, GPs and our patients.  We have a great opportunity to strengthen and streamline the way we provide health care by making our services more directly responsive to the needs of patients.”

A former senior executive in banking, Mrs Worrall holds a Masters in Business Administration and is also a Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development. She was a non-executive director of the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust from 1998-2000.

Outside of her NHS work, she is well known for her interest in wildlife and conservation and recently visited Costa Rica on a project to study the endangered leatherback turtle. Closer to home, she is chair of her local church preservation committee and conservation project as well as being a school governor.

Since joining the Trust, she has demonstrated her commitment to the development and continous improvement of health services in Suffolk. Her appointment for a further four years will help provide the leadership and stability needed as the NHS undergoes significant change. 

As chairman Mrs Worrall will receive a remuneration of £18,154 p.a.  She has no declared political affiliations and holds no other Ministerial appointments. 

Also, Judith Lancaster has been re-appointed as a non-executive director at West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust, for four years from 1 November 2003 until 31 October 2007.

Ms Lancaster qualified as a barrister and then worked for a merchant bank before moving out of London when she got married. She is a Committee Chairman for the Eastern Rent Assessment Panel, Chairman of Macmillan in Suffolk and a Director of Racing Welfare. She was Vice Chairman of Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust before moving to Suffolk

“I am very pleased that Judith Lancaster has been re-appointed to the Board,” said Veronica Worrall.  “Over the past few years she has made a valuable contribution to the work of the Trust.  Her commitment and experience has been an asset to the Trust, and as deputy chairman I look forward to further years of working together to improve our services in the future.”

As a non-executive director Ms Lancaster will receive a remuneration of £5,294pa. She has no declared political affiliations; neither does she hold any other Ministerial appointments.