A leading Brighton and Hove health chief is leaving after just a year in his job to run another trust.
Alan McCarthy, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT), is moving to a similar role in Redhill.
He is to become the interim chairman of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.
Mr McCarthy, the former chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, will take up his new post on Wednesday 17 November.
The interim post lasts for 18 months or until a permanent appointment is made.
Mr McCarthy, who grew up in Moulsecoomb, is replacing Ian Williams, who died earlier this year.
Denise Stokoe will be the acting chairman of the PCT – which is also known as NHS Brighton and Hove. She is an experienced non-executive director at the trust.
Mr McCarthy said: “I am sorry to leave NHS Brighton and Hove but am looking forward to chairing Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
“NHS Brighton and Hove is well placed to meet the challenges ahead and will be in good hands in my absence.
“I am confident that local people will benefit from the improvements we are making in health and healthcare in this area.”
Amanda Fadero, chief executive of NHS Brighton and Hove, said: “We will miss Alan but are pleased that his excellent leadership skills have been recognised.
“I know he will have a great contribution to make to Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
“I am pleased to welcome Denise Stokoe as our acting chair, and am confident that under her chairmanship we will continue to work well with local people and partner organisations to deliver the very best health and care for the people of Brighton and Hove.”
The PCT is responsible for planning and buying healthcare for the residents of Brighton and Hove and is the local headquarters of the NHS.
I’m sure this is only the beginning of people jumping ship from primary care trusts (PCTs), which are not long for this world.
The coalition government have made clear their intent to completely abolish PCTs within the next couple of years, so Mr McCarthy would have been out of a job. Switching to chair a hospital trust means his position will still be there after Andrew Lansley’s health shake-up is completed. The reforms are focussed on such trusts becoming more independent and profit-seeking.