New Non-executive directors join Trust Board

Secretary of State for Health, Frank Dobson has appointed two new non-executive directors to the board of West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust.

Judith Lancaster, 44, of Tostock, is a barrister and a non-executive director of the Norwich-based Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust a post she will be giving up at the end of October.

Colin Hilder, 55, of Bury St Edmunds, has had a career in engineering and until recently was an independent member of the Suffolk Police Authority.

Mrs Lancaster's appointment runs until 31 October 2003 and Mr Hilder's until 31 October 2002. They will both receive a remuneration of £5,140 a year.

Mrs Lancaster is a member of the Department of Environment's Rent Assessment Panel and Mr Hilder is a lay Ofsted inspector.

They take up the seats left by Sandra Walmsley, who resigned from the trust when she was appointed chairman of the new Local Health Partnerships NHS Trust, and John Davis who has come to the end of his term of office.

"Judith and Colin bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise which I am sure will be of great benefit to the trust board as we discuss and plan for the issues that will face us," said trust chairman Jeremy Richardson. "John and Sandra have both made valuable contributions to the work of the trust, for which I thank them. They worked hard for the organisation and their input has helped to shape our future plans”

24th September, 1999

West Suffolk Hospital   Hardwick Lane   Bury St Edmunds   Suffolk lP33202