NSFT Chair appointed to serve a second term, promising a 'safer, kinder, better future'
Under her leadership, the trust's CQC rating's improved from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’
Last updated 12th Jul 2024
The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has announced it's appointed Zoë Billingham CBE for a second term as its Chair.
Ms Billingham joined the trust in January 2022 for an initial term of three years.
Her re-appointment follows a recommendation from the trust’s Nominations and Conduct Committee, which was unanimously approved by the trust’s Council of Governors in May.
It means she'll continue in the role until 31 December 2027.
During her first period in office, Ms Billingham has helped to support the drive for improvements at the trust, signs of which were recognised in the last report by the Care Quality Commission in February 2023 at which time the trust’s rating moved from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’.
Alongside this announcement, the trust says it's launching a new five-year strategy which provides direction and focus under four strategic priorities; improving health, improving care, improving culture and improving value.
Attached to these priorities, it says, are 12 change programmes which it hopes will lead to 'safer, kinder and better services for the people of Norfolk and Suffolk'.
"A safer, kinder, better future"
Zoë who was born in Norfolk and lives in Suffolk said “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our service users, their carers and our staff for everything they are doing to ensure that our trust is moving in a positive direction.
"I’d also like to thank our Council of Governors for recognising my ongoing commitment and giving me the opportunity to fulfil the shared vision of our Board of Directors; we are resolutely determined to secure lasting improvement to the quality of our mental health services.
“While we have further to go, I am pleased with the transformation taking place across our trust, as was recognised earlier in my tenure by the Care Quality Commission. Since then, we have put in place the fundamental building blocks needed for a safer, kinder, better future.
“I am immensely grateful to our partners and local Integrated Care Boards who are supporting us as we make much needed changes, including restructuring our services into a place-based model so that tailored and excellent mental health services are available to those that need them.
“I know we have much more to do to achieve our ambitions for those we provide care for. I am confident that by working together with our service users, their carers and families and of course our dedicated staff we will continue to improve as a Trust.”
“It is so important that the positive progression continues"
Rt. Hon Patricia Hewitt, Chair of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, said: “I am delighted that Zoë has been reappointed as Chair at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
“Zoë’s wealth of experience, together with her passion and commitment for making improvements to mental health services for the benefit of local service users, families and carers, is an asset to the Trust and our local health and care systems, and I am pleased to see this continue.
“We know that there is much more to be done to drive forward the improvements to mental health services that local people expect and deserve but the considerable progress made by the Trust is encouraging. I would like to congratulate Zoë and look forward to continuing our work together.”
Professor William Pope, Chair of Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said “It is so important that the positive progression of patient services and staff culture within NSFT continues.
“Therefore, I very much welcome Zoë Billingham’s reappointment, which will ensure that the drive for improvement and the betterment of patient outcomes continues apace.
“Under Zoë’s chairmanship we have already witnessed an uplift in NSFT’s performance, which has been recognised by the CQC.
“Her recognition of the commitment of NSFT staff in making services better for patients is an integral part of the organisation’s transformation and I look forward to the continued improvement of mental health services in Suffolk.”