East Sussex NHS Trust appoints new chief executive

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) has appointed Joe Chadwick-Bell as its new chief executive.

Ms Chadwick-Bell will take up the role on an interim basis in September 2020, when the current chief executive, Dr Adrian Bull, retires after five years at the helm.

For the next six months she will continue in her role as chief operating officer and deputy chief executive working closely alongside Dr Bull.

She has over 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.

Ms Chadwick-Bell has worked in both ambulance and acute provider trusts, along with a period of time at the Strategic Health Authority.

She originally started her NHS career working in the Pharmacy department at Eastbourne DGH.

‘Joe will bring important continuity and stability to the role as our Trust faces an unprecedented challenge from Covid-19,’ said board chairman, Steve Phoenix.

‘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,’ added Mr Phoenix.

Ms 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 that 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.’

Photo Credit – East Sussex NHS Trust