I’ve brought forward the publication of next week’s newsletter by a few days because I wanted to share with you the news of the departure of our Chair, Joe Fielder. In the announcement below Joe sets out why he has decided now is the right time to step down from our Trust and Sir David Sloman, the Regional Director for the NHS in London, pays tribute to Joe and thanks him for all he has done for BHRUT over the past three years.

I would like to echo Sir David’s words. During my ten months here, Joe has provided steadfast support and I couldn’t have asked for more from a Chair as I navigated not only a new organisation but also the extraordinary challenges presented by Covid-19. He lives in our community and he has always put the needs of our patients first. We are fortunate that he will continue as Chair of the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT). 

I hope you have a pleasant and restful weekend and I will be back in touch at the beginning of next month.

Best wishes.

Tony Chambers

Chief Executive

After three years as our Chair, Joe Fielder has decided to leave our Trust. His last formal role will be to run our Board meeting next month. Commenting on Joe’s departure, Sir David Sloman, the Regional Director for the NHS in London, said: “Substantial progress has been made since Joe joined Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust three years ago, as a result of his leadership and the hard work of the team. There is still more to do to improve standards, but Joe’s stewardship has placed the Trust in a position where this can now be taken forward. I wish Joe all the best for the future and thank him for his hard work.”

Joe Fielder said: “I decided recently that after three very challenging years as Chair of BHRUT I would not seek a further term. During this time, significant progress has been made to stabilise and improve our Trust. We have a high-quality board; far greater openness and transparency; improved quality; better digital capability; and enhanced financial rigour and accountability.

“I believe we have firm foundations in place to enable our Trust to embark on the next phase of its recovery, a phase that can lead BHRUT to ‘outstanding’. There is a lot of hard work ahead to achieve this and I have decided that now is the right time for me, and for the organisation, to hand over my role as Chair. This has been a very difficult decision to make”.

“It has been a privilege to serve alongside the staff, and with so many stakeholders in our health system and region, to improve collaboration for better integration and outcomes for our communities”.

“I have learnt a great deal; enjoyed the challenges enormously; and will continue to support transformation and improvement from my continuing role as Chair of the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT)”. 

Our new Chair will be Mike Bell who will continue in his role as Chair at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, a position he’s held since 2013.