NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS APPOINTED

29 Sep 2005 11:45 AM

England Health Minister Rosie Winterton, today announced the names of six non-executive directors who will join the Chair Bill Fullagar, as the first non-executive Board of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

Rosie Winterton, said: 'I am delighted that NHS Blood and Transplant will be able to draw upon such a wealth of expertise from the public and private sector to help steer NHSBT in its formative years.

The six non-executive directors will take up their new role when NHSBT is established on 1 October.

Welsh Health Minister, Dr Brian Gibbons, added: "The Welsh Assembly Government welcomes the appointment of the non-executive directors and the particular skills and expertise that they will bring to the new Organisation which has such significant responsibilities for the provision of blood and transplant services.'

Andy Kerr, Minister for Health & Community Care in Scotland, said: "I am very pleased that the Scottish dimension of NHSBT's functions in relation to transplantation has been recognised by the appointment of Mr John Forsythe.

Mr Fullagar, Chair of NHSBT said

"I am delighted that we have been able to attract such a talented and skilled group of people to the new organisation. Between them they bring awareness of patients' needs, understanding as Directors of UKT and the NBA, relevant knowledge of transplantation and haematology, and experience in managing complex organisations. I very much look forward to working with the new Board to ensure NHSBT is in a strong position to face future challenges."

NHSBT is a new organisation being established as part of the review of the Department of Health's arms length bodies. It is being created from the merger of UK Transplant and the National Blood Authority. The objective of the merger is to optimise the supply of donated blood, organs and tissues and raise the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of blood and transplant services.

Notes to the Editor:

The names of the six non-executive directors are below:

Mrs Jennifer Gubbins, aged 47, lives in London. She is a practising solicitor and partner in Trowers & Hamlins as well as having been a member of the National Blood Authority since 1996 and vice chair since 2001. Her career has been spent in commercial law and she has specialised in corporate finance with a particular focus on the public sector and has worked with the NHS in setting up the NHS litigation Authority.

Non-executive member - NHS Blood and Transplant Authority

Appointment Non-executive

Remuneration £5,673 per annum

Declared political activity in the last None
five years

Other ministerial appointments held None

Mr David Greggains, aged 63, lives in Richmond. He is a Management Accountant and Director of a private company. He has experience of working in both the public & private sector and is a member of Independent Monitoring Board for Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre

Non-executive member - NHS Blood and Transplant Authority

Appointment Non-executive

Remuneration £5,673 per annum

Declared political activity in the None
last five years

Other ministerial appointments held Immigration Monitoring Board. Home Office

Dr Diana Walford CBE, aged 61, lives in Oxford. She is Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford and former Chief Executive of the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). She was Deputy Chief Medical Officer of England between 1989 and 1992.

Non-executive member - NHS Blood and Transplant Authority

Appointment Non-executive

Remuneration £5,673 per annum

Declared political activity in the None
last five years

Other ministerial appointments held None

Mrs Elisabeth Buggins, aged 49, lives in Walsall. She is chair of Birmingham & Black Country Strategic HA and is a non-executive member of the National Blood Authority.

Non-executive member - NHS Blood and Transplant Authority

Appointment Non-executive

Remuneration £5,673 per annum

Declared political activity in the None
last five years

Other ministerial appointments held Birmingham and Black Country SHA £22,882 per annum

Mr George Jenkins, aged 57, lives in Canterbury. He is currently a non-executive on UK Transplant and Chair of East Kent Hospitals Trust. He has held many NED & Executive roles in both the public & private sector.

Non-executive member - NHS Blood and Transplant Authority

Appointment Non-executive

Remuneration £5,673 per annum

Declared political activity in the None
last five years

Other ministerial appointments held East Kent Hospital NHS Trust. Payment £21,793.

Mr John Forsythe, aged 47, lives in Edinburgh. He is a Consultant Transplant Surgeon and Clinical Director (Renal/Transplant Surgery/GI) at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. He is chairman of the Scottish Transplant Group and a Non-executive member for NHS Quality Improvements Scotland.

Non-executive member - NHS Blood and Transplant Authority

Appointment Non-executive

Remuneration £5,673 per annum

Declared political activity None
in the last five years

Other ministerial Non-executive member of NHS QIS Board. appointments held (Payment None). Chairman of Scottish Transplant Group. (Payment None).
Specialty Advisor to Minister of
Health. (Payment None).

NHS Blood and Transplant will be a Special Health Authority. It will replace the National Blood Authority and UK Transplant from the 1st October 2005.

The Authority's roles will include:
- Encouraging people to donate organs blood and tissues
- Optimising the safety and supply of blood organs and tissues - Helping to raise the quality, effectiveness and clinical outcomes of blood and transplant services
- Provide expert advice to other NHS organisations, the Department of Health Ministers and devolved administrations
- Provide appropriate advice and support to health services in other countries
- Commission and conduct research and development
- Actively engage in implementing relevant EU Statutory frameworks and guidance
- Be involved in broader international developments.

For enquiries, please contact the Department of Health public enquiry line 020 7210 4850.