Chairman of West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust Announces Retirement

29 April 2005

At the public meeting of the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust Board today (Apr 29), Veronica Worrall announced her retirement as Chairman.

During her five years as Chairman, Veronica has championed the provision of services that are responsive to the needs of the community, through the involvement of patients and public in the activities of the Trust.

Patient and public representatives sit on Trust committees and planning groups and have an important input into service modernisation. A Reader Panel ensures all patient leaflets are easy to understand and provide the right information. There are also over 300 volunteers who give their time and energy in many different ways for the benefit of the hospital.

"I am proud of the fact that recent developments at the West Suffolk Hospital, including the new Eye Treatment Centre, Diabetes Centre, Macmillan Cancer Unit and A&E X-ray suite have benefited from a patient¹s point of view. They often see the little things that need to be taken on board that can make all the difference to the patient’s experience," said Veronica Worrall.

"Although at times it has been extremely challenging, I have thoroughly enjoyed being Chairman of the Trust. It has been a privilege to work with such wonderful, dedicated staff and volunteers, who are committed to the provision of high quality treatment and care to the local community."

Chris Bown, Chief Executive of the Trust, added: "Veronica deserves our thanks for her leadership and the stability she bought to the Trust during a time of tremendous change for the NHS. Her commitment and experience has been an asset to the Trust."

Veronica’s last public Trust Board meeting will be on June 29 2005.

The appointments process to find a new chairman has already begun. Advertisements will appear week commencing May 9 with an open evening for prospective candidates on May 24 in the committee room at the West Suffolk Hospital. The closing date for applications will be week commencing June 6 2005.