Hello and thank you for taking the time to explore these non-executive director opportunities.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (DCH) and Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust (DHC) are two organisations with strong identities, proud histories and deep roots in the communities they serve. In recent years, we have chosen to work more closely together – not because it’s easy, but because we believe it gives us the best chance of improving care, tackling inequalities and supporting people to live healthier, more independent lives.

As Chair of both Trusts, I am very clear that this federated way of working must strengthen governance, not dilute it. Each Trust remains accountable in its own right, with a strong focus on quality, safety, finance and culture. At the same time, closer collaboration allows us to think differently about how care is delivered across acute, community and mental health services – and how we support our staff to do their very best work.

The context for these appointments is significant – Dorset Healthcare is progressing its Advanced Foundation Trust application, alongside long-term thinking around a ten-year strategic horizon and the expansion of integrated clinical pathways across community and mental health services.

At the same time, Dorset County Hospital continues to face the same challenge as other acute providers: rising demand, financial pressure and the need to improve patient flow and pathway efficiency.

This means we are now looking to welcome new non-executive directors who bring experience, curiosity and sound judgement; who are motivated by public service and making a genuine difference; and who can operate at pace and add value from day one. Given our federated nature, we are looking for NEDs for DCH and DHC only and at least one joint NED to serve across both organisations.

We are looking to bring a blend of complementary skills onto the Boards and are particularly interested in candidates with backgrounds in finance, partnership working – especially with the VCSE or primary care sectors – commercial innovation, strategic transformation, commissioning and health services – in particular mental health and/or the allied health professions.

You will be joining Boards that value openness, teamwork and respectful challenge, and organisations that care deeply about the people who use our services.

If this feels like something you would like to be part of, please read on and consider applying. We would be delighted to hear from you.

To learn more please contact our recruitment partners, Rhiannon Smith or Jenny Adrian at Hunter Healthcare on 07939 250362 or by email at [email protected].

Yours sincerely,

Yours sincerely,
David Clayton-Smith
Joint Chair
(Dorset County Hospital and Dorset HealthCare)