Eastbourne DGH and Conquest to get new boss

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust has named Joe Chadwick-Bell as its new chief executive. She will take up her position in September 2020 when ESHT’s current boss Dr Adrian Bull, retires after five years at the helm.

Joe has more than 30 years of experience in the health sector and is currently chief operating officer and deputy chief executive at ESHT, having been appointed in 2016.

She has worked in both ambulance and acute provider trusts, along with a period of time at the Strategic Health Authority. Joe originally started her NHS career working in the pharmacy department at Eastbourne DGH.

A trust spokesperson said that while the health authority is managing the Covid-19 pandemic, normal executive recruitment has not been possible, and therefore Joe has been appointed on an interim basis.

Steve Phoenix, chairman of the trust board said, “Joe will bring important continuity and stability to the role as our trust faces an unprecedented challenge from Covid-19. Her detailed understanding of the organisation means that we will continue to build on the progress that we have all made together as a trust over the last few years.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Joe as we progress our aim of providing the highest quality care to patients across all of our services.”

Joe Chadwick-Bell said, “It is an honour and a privilege to take on this role at a trust where I started my career. I am delighted I will be able to lead an organisation with such ambition, strong values and an exciting future. This is a challenging time for the trust and I’ve been proud to see the way members of staff have come together to adapt and change in this new environment. I look forward to being part of our recovery as we move ahead with our aim of being Outstanding and Always Improving.

“As a local resident myself, I understand the challenges for our local health system and will work with partner organisations across Sussex to help strengthen the care we provide. My focus will be to further our integration across East Sussex as we firmly establish ourselves as part of our local communities.”

Joe’s appointment will start in September 2020 and for the next six months she will continue in her current role working closely alongside Dr Adrian Bull.

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