New Director for East Sussex Community Voice
East Sussex Community Voice (ESCV), delivering Healthwatch in the county, has appointed John Routledge as Executive Director, having been Project Co-ordinator for local authority rough sleeping initiatives across Sussex for four years.
John is replacing Julie Fitzgerald who left the company in July to take up a national post with NHS Improvements.
As Executive Director, John will be responsible for the overall leadership and development of Healthwatch in East Sussex and the wider role of ESCV. His role includes overseeing public and patient engagement in the development and delivery of health and social care services across the county, as well as working with health and social care staff to improve the patient experience.
Keith Stevens, Chair of ESCV said, “We are delighted that someone with John’s knowledge has joined us as our new Executive Director. I know that his extensive skills and experience will play a key role in the engagement services we provide to patients and the public every day. John will provide strong and professional leadership for our dedicated staff team, volunteers and healthcare professionals.
I would like to record my thanks to Julie Fitzgerald for all her hard work over the past five years in this demanding role. She has been influential in helping to improve the engagement of patients and the public in health and care services together with building relationships with health and care partners across East Sussex.”
John said, “I’m delighted to be joining ESCV at a time of great change for health and care services in East Sussex. I look forward to working with staff and partners to continue the excellent work already underway to engage patients and the public in the design and delivery of services into the future”.
Originally from Portsmouth, John has worked in the public, private and voluntary sectors for over 30 years, holding a variety of senior posts including the Home Office, Brighton & Hove City Council, and London Voluntary Service Council. John is passionate about ensuring that patients and the public have the strongest possible voice in shaping services of the future”
If you wish to make contact with John, please email John.Routledge@escv.org.uk or call 01323 403590
