Kent health boss takes on new challenge in Sussex

Jayne Black began her NHS career as a nurse

The chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust is leaving to take up a new role in East Sussex.

Jayne Black, who has led the Kent trust for four years, has been appointed chief executive of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

The Medway trust's chair, John Goulston, described Ms Black as "a highly effective and popular leader, bringing colleagues together to focus on improvements to patient care".

The trust said the process for replacing Ms Black had begun.

Mr Goulston said: We will greatly miss her energetic and determined leadership, along with her warmth and humour.

"We congratulate Jayne and wish her well in her new role."

Beginning as a nurse, Ms Black has also worked as chief operating officer at University Hospitals Sussex Foundation Trust and at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.

She was also director of strategy and transformation for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group.

'Build on achievements'

Steve Phoenix, Chairman of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "Jayne brings a wealth of experience from her previous leadership positions across operations and transformation within London, Kent and Sussex, spanning acute and community service provision and strategic commissioning.

"I'm confident she will build on our achievements and our relationships with our partners to strengthen our delivery of high quality healthcare for residents across Sussex.''