Charles Everett has been appointed as Chair of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald by the Appointments Commission.
NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald is the working name of East Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust.
Charles Everett is already Chair of the neighbouring Primary Care Trust, NHS Hastings and Rother; a post he has held since February 2007 after retiring as a Director at the Home Office.
Under the re-structuring of the NHS in England, Primary Care Trusts will cease to exist from April 2013 and groups, or consortia, of local GPs will commission health services for people in their area.
As part of the transition to the new structure, regulations have been revised, allowing PCT Chairs and other non-executive directors to sit on more than one PCT board..
Charles Everett has lived in East Sussex for over thirty years and is married with three grown up children.
His appointment covers the period from 1 February 2011 to 31 March 2013, and he takes over from Rita Lewis, who has been Acting Chair of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald since January 2010.
Rita will resume her roles as Vice-Chair and Non-Executive Director (a post she has held since October 2006) of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald, as well as fulfilling the same roles for NHS Hastings and Rother.
Commenting on his appointment Charles Everett said:
"I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald.
The two PCTs have been working closely together for some time and so this is the logical way forward, particularly given the forthcoming changes to the structure of the NHS.
We have a crucial role to play in supporting the local NHS through this period of change while ensuring as smooth a transition as possible to the new set up of local GP consortia.
I would like to thank Rita Lewis for the skill and dedication she has shown during her time as Acting Chair.
I am pleased she has agreed to continue as a Non Executive Director for both PCTs."
Rita Lewis said:
"I am looking forward to my new role with NHS Hastings and Rother, as well as continuing my work with NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald.
Along with all the members of both PCT boards, I will be working hard to make sure that local people continue to benefit from high quality health care and services whilst the new NHS structure is developed and made ready."
Both Charles Everett’s and Rita Lewis’ appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner of Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.
All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.
Charles Everett will receive total remuneration for the two roles of £36,799 per annum from 1 February 2011 to 31 March 2013.
He is also a non-executive board member of the Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust.
He has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.
Rita Lewis will receive remuneration of £13,136 per annum from 1 February 2011 to 31 March 2011. From 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013 she will receive remuneration of £7,882 as per all non-executive directors.
She chairs the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board and is a Trustee and Chair of Action Against Medical Accidents.
She is also Deputy Chair of the Optical Consumer Complaints Service.
Rita has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.
NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother were established on 1 October 2006 and serve a population of approximately 490,000 people (East Sussex Downs and Weald - 320,000. Hastings and Rother – 170,000).
The organisations hold the NHS budgets for these areas and fund NHS services provided by GPs, pharmacists, dentists and opticians, and treatment and care in hospitals.
They also commission and fund a wide range of health services in community hospitals, health centres, clinics, and in people’s homes.
