Joe Chadwick-Bell appointed as ESHT Chief Executive

Joe Chadwick-Bell has been appointed as Chief Executive of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Joe Chadwick-Bell was appointed as Chief Executive on an interim basis in September last year following the retirement of Adrian Bull. Following an extensive recruitment process her position has now been made substantive.

Joe has over 30 years of experience in the health sector, having previously been the Trust’s Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, since 2016. She has worked in both ambulance and acute provider trusts, along with a period of time at the Strategic Health Authority. Joe began her NHS career working in the Pharmacy Department at Eastbourne DGH back in 1989.

Joe Chadwick-Bell, ESHT Chief Executive said: “It is an honour to be appointed substantively to the role of Chief Executive at a Trust. I have been immensely proud and privileged to have been the interim Chief Executive over the past eight months, a period that has been the most challenging the NHS has ever had to face. Everyone has played their part.

“I want to build on the dedication, teamwork and commitment everyone in ESHT has shown over the past year. Everyone has come together to adapt and change, working together as a part of one fantastic team with respect and compassion for our patients and one another. This is a solid foundation on which to strengthen our reputation as a place in which people want to work and receive care.”

This is the Trust where I started my career and it is my local Trust, where as a local resident, I had my children and where my family and I receive care. I am delighted to lead an organisation with such ambition, strong values and an exciting future. I look forward to working with our patients, local people, partners and our dedicated and committed staff to provide the best possible care to our local communities.”

Steve Phoenix Chairman said: “I am delighted to appoint Joe as our Chief Executive. She has highlighted exceptional leadership qualities during the pandemic and I look forward to working with her. She has a detailed understanding of the organisation 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.”