NEDS are performing important role in merger discussions says Deputy Chairman

Two Non-Executive Directors at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust have been re-appointed by the AppointmentsCommission to serve on the Trust Board for a further year to 31st October 2008.    Peter Field was first appointed to the Board at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals in February 2000.   Liz Brooks joined the Board later that year in October.   The appointments are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.

Liz Brooks CBE was Director of the Dyslexia Institute and prior to that a specialist teacher with Oxfordshire Education Authority.  She retired in August 2000 and was appointed a Non-Executive Director at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust in the same month.   Liz is married with two grown up sons – one is a Surgeon who was once at AshfordHospital – her personal interests include textiles, art and design and antiques.   Until September 2007 Liz served as Deputy Chairman on the Trust Board.

Commenting on her re-appointment Liz says: “In my seven years with Ashford and St. Peter’s hospitals I have been tremendously impressed by the commitment and dedication of our staff, whether on the frontline in the back room support areas.    Improving the working lives of our staff has been one of the main areas of my focus during the last seven years which has seen the development of childcare, housing and staff support schemes.   I am pleased that my re-appointment for a further year will provide continuity during the next 12 months.”


Peter Field is a Director at Transport for London and was previously with the transport consultancy Steer Davies Gleeve, Servisair Ltd and British Rail.   He was appointed a Non-Executive Director at Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust in February 2000.   Peter is married and lives in West Byfleet.  He has two grown up children and his interests include flying and motorcycling.

"Healthcare is a very complex area,” says Peter Field, “It is important that Non-Executive Directors, appointed from within the community the organisation serves, are able to voice their opinions independently and provide sound guidance for hospital Trusts.   At Ashford and St. Peter's, where I have been pleased to serve for the past seven years, we have made significant improvements to the quality of services and significantly reduced waiting times.  Healthcare is changing rapidly and the Trust must adapt to survive.   That is why it is important that we consider fully the benefits and implications of the potential merger with Frimley Park Hospital."

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) and any other Ministerial appointments to be made public.   Neither Liz nor Peter have made any declaration of political activity nor do they hold any other Ministerial appointment.   Non-Executive Directors receive remuneration of £5,875 per annum.


Deputy Chairman Aileen McLeish comments: “As a relative newcomer to the Trust Board and having recently taken on the Deputy Chairmanship from Liz, it is good to have their experience and advice available for a further year to provide continuity whilst the merger discussions with Frimley Park Hospital are underway.    Non-Executive Directors have an important role to play in the discussions about a possible merger.    We are the representatives of our local community and we are determined to ensure that any changes to the way in which local health services and hospitals are managed is beneficial for patients.   Acute hospitals in west Surrey must adapt to changing times with more specialisation, more services provided closer to patients homes and rapid advances in medical technology and treatments.   In all this we must not forget that we are here to serve patients and I and my Non-Executive Director colleagues are clear that patients come first.”