Nick Yeo, the Chief Executive of East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), has been appointed as Chief Executive of Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust which provides services for people with mental health needs and people with learning disabilities.
Nick will be taking up his new post in the summer.
Since joining the East Sussex PCTs in October 2006, Nick has overseen their development under a single senior management team.
Nick will be leaving both trusts well on the way to delivering ambitious plans for improving health and healthcare for their respective populations and in stronger financial positions, with both balancing the books in 2007/8.
In announcing his departure, Nick commented “It has been my privilege to be involved in the development of the local NHS within East Sussex. During my time here I have received great support and cooperation from across the local area, for which I am grateful.”
“I believe that both trusts, working with staff, partners and the local community, are well placed to develop services and improve the health and wellbeing of the local population in the years to come. I will be leaving to take up an appointment working with some of the most disadvantaged groups in our society and whilst I will be very sorry to leave colleagues within East Sussex, I am looking forward to the important challenges ahead.’
Nick was heavily involved in the public consultation on the future of maternity, in-patient gynaecology and special care baby services in East Sussex which culminated in a decision by the primary care trust boards in December 2007. The East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) has now referred that decision to the Secretary of State for Health for independent review.
John Barnes, Chairman of East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT, said “I am grateful to Nick for the considerable work that he has undertaken in moving NHS services forward in the local area. This includes his leadership in setting up the new primary care trusts and building a strong senior team to work across both organisations. We shall be very sorry to lose him but wish him well in the demanding task he is undertaking.”
“As a result of the work done in the last eighteen months we have re-established financial control within East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT. This gives us a platform to make real progress in the months and years ahead.”
Chairman of Hastings and Rother PCT, Charles Everett, added “Nick leaves the new Hastings and Rother PCT in a strong position. He will be missed and I am sorry to see him go, but we wish him well for the important work he will now be undertaking within Hampshire. He leaves us with well established and ambitious plans for improving health services in Hastings and Rother.”
Nick has given a commitment to support his successor in particular to ensure that the Independent Review Panel for the recent consultation on maternity services has all the evidence necessary for its work following the decision of the HOSC to refer the issue to the Secretary of State for Health.
The primary care trusts are currently finalising the arrangements for appointing Nick’s successor.
