1 February 2023
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust Council of Governors has confirmed that Bryan Ingleby will be the new Chair of the Trust when Pradip Patel’s term of office comes to an end after seven years in the role.
Bryan has sat on the Frimley Health Board as a non-executive director for three years and became Deputy Chair in February 2022 and his appointment as Frimley Health Chair follows an extensive recruitment and selection process. He will formally take over on 6 March 2023 which will enable him to be fully involved in all-important Trust planning for 2023/24.
Bryan Ingleby said: “I am very pleased that the Governors have placed their trust in me. I don’t underestimate the challenges we face; I am excited by the opportunities we have to make a difference, to continue to make Frimley Health a great place to work and to give our patients the care they rightly deserve and expect. I am taking up this role at an incredibly exciting time for the Trust and am highly motivated to build on the solid foundations that Pradip has laid down, making Frimley Health one of the highest performing Trusts in the country. My great thanks to Pradip for the sterling work he has led over the past seven years, and his tireless energy.”
Frimley Health Chief Executive Neil Dardis said: “Bryan knows Frimley Health and the care sector very well and demonstrates his dedication and passion for our work at every turn. His appointment is extremely welcome, and I look forward to working with him to continue to drive and deliver our ambitious growth and improvement plans, and continue to serve our patients and staff.”
Pradip Patel became Chair of Frimley Health in 2016, shortly after the Trust’s acquisition of Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and extended his tenure to provide continuity of leadership for the Trust’s Board and Council of Governors throughout the pandemic.
Pradip Patel said: “I have always believed that we are very lucky to have the NHS in this country, so it has been an absolute privilege and an honour for me to have served in it. I have had the pleasure of working with great people who are passionate about providing the best care and experience for our patients. They have been truly heroic and always go above and beyond the call of duty, but especially over the last three years as we have dealt with the global Covid pandemic and all the other challenges this has created. I am full of admiration and praise for what they do, day in day out, and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to be their Chairman for the last seven years.
“Frimley Health has a great Board and Council of Governors team and they deserve the credit for all that has been achieved in my time as Chair. Notable achievements include creating a five-year strategy, the new Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park Hospital, the new Heatherwood Hospital and the new Electronic Patient Record system. I know Bryan will lead the Board to continue to work on our strategy to truly make Frimley Health a great place to work for our people and for all the care needs for our patients.”
The contribution and enormous impact that Pradip Patel has had on Frimley Health has been applauded by many. Neil Dardis said: “Pradip has been an inspirational, strong and compassionate leader and his impact on our work will be felt for many years to come. We are extremely grateful for his contribution and wish him well.”
Dawn Kenson, the Trust’s Senior Independent Director, said: “On behalf of the Non Executive Directors, I want to acknowledge the significant positive impact that Pradip has made on the Trust. He has immersed himself in our innovative and ambitious growth programme, and led us through some extremely challenging times, including the pandemic.”
Sarah Peacey, Lead Governor, said: “There are so many positives I could share about Pradip’s chairmanship so I’ll highlight just a few on behalf of the governors. Pradip has been fully committed to the role, always on hand and available to listen and support colleagues, and an instinctive communicator, building strong relationships with the governors, staff, volunteers and the wider Integrated Care System. Above all, his integrity, humanity and moral courage to do the right thing together with his passion for the NHS and the people it serves always shines through. It has been a pleasure working alongside him. The governors are delighted Bryan has accepted the role of Chair to further support Frimley Health in its successful endeavours.”