NHS Improvement has confirmed the reappointment of Professor Eileen Fairhurst as the Chairman of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust for a further two year period from
1 February 2022.
Eileen has been in the post since February 2014 and during that time has overseen the improvement of the Trust to be taken out of ‘special measures’ and receive a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of ‘GOOD’ with areas of ‘OUTSTANDING’. Most recently, she has been the steady hand guiding the Trust through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The extension to the Chairman’s tenure will provide stability and continuity for the leadership of the Trust. Eileen will continue to work with Martin Hodgson, in his Interim Chief Executive role, following Kevin McGee’s move to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS FT at the end of this month.
Eileen said: “I am delighted to be continuing my work with colleagues at ELHT and in Pennine Lancashire. I remain committed and focused on providing safe, personal and effective care and to working with everyone across Lancashire and South Cumbria to improve outcomes for our communities.”