The chairman of Brighton and Hove’s main hospital trust is stepping down after seven years at the helm.
Julian Lee said: “It has been a privilege to have been chair of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust over the last seven years and I feel proud to have been able to play a part in some of the good work that has been achieved during this time.
“In particular, securing the £485 million funding for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital was a significant milestone in the history of the trust and one that will bring long-lasting benefits to future generations.
“I would like to thank the many people I have worked with over the years and wish the trust every success in the future.”
Mr Lee, 70, a chartered accountant whose parents were both doctors, previously chaired the Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust which became the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group in 2013. He is a member of the General Medical Council (GMC).
The hospital trust said: “Julian has made significant contributions to the NHS in the last ten years both as chairman of BSUH and in his previous role as chair of Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust.
“We would like to thank Julian for all he has achieved throughout his many years of service and we wish him well for the future.”
Another non-executive director, Christine Farnish, is stepping down this week. The trust said: “We would also like to thank Christine for her work over the past three years.
“Our longest serving Non-Executive Director Tony Kildare has agreed to take up the role of acting chair with immediate effect.”
NHS Improvement will be making more permanent arrangements in due course.
And days after the new chief executive took up her post the Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an inspection. The report is expected to be published soon.
In the financial year to the end of March the trust recorded an unaudited deficit of about £45 million. It was one of many acute NHS trusts to record a deficit for the year.
