Non-Executive Directors (NED) play a crucial role by bringing an independent perspective to the Trust boardroom. They support the Chair, promote NHS values and contribute valuable insight to the development of strategy.
Doncaster resident, Kath, who will join the Trust on 1 April, has an extensive background in the public sector, working within the NHS for over a decade as a commissioner in Doncaster, Wakefield and Hull, covering a variety of roles from risk management to governance and external inspections.
As a Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualified accountant, Kath has most recently worked with Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) as a Non-Executive Director, as well as Chair of the organisation’s Audit Committee and social enterprise, Flourish Enterprises.
Joining Kath in April is Pat Drake, a former nurse with a wide range of experience in both acute and community care. Since retiring from the Health Service, Pat has served a number of organisations and charities as a Non-Executive Director, as well as serving as Deputy Chair of Yorkshire Ambulance Service. She has also worked as a Non-Executive Director at Locala Community Services, Justice of the Peace and as Governor of a large academy.
A passionate advocate for the delivery of high quality patient care, Pat is focused upon ensuring that patients and the public have a significant voice within the NHS. Pat will take on the role of Clinical Non-Executive, a position the Trust established following the Francis Report into failings at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Welcoming the new appointees, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Chair, Suzy Brain England OBE, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint two fantastic additions to our Board of Directors. Both Kath and Pat have invaluable skills which will help to steer the organisation as we go forward, and my colleagues and I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years.
“We must also thank John Parker, who will leave the Trust at the end of March. John has worked as a Non-Executive Director at DBTH over the past eight years, as well as in a variety of other roles, and we thank him for his service to the organisation.”
The new Non-Executive Directors were appointed for three-year terms after an open advertisement and recruitment process, led by the Trust’s Council of Governors.