The Trust’s Chairman, Alan McCarthy, has been awarded an MBE for services to the NHS in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Alan has been the Chairman of the Board of both Brighton and Sussex and Western Sussex Hospitals since July 2018, having previously spent eight years as the Chairman of Sussex and Surrey Healthcare Trust.
Arriving at BSUH and WSHT Alan said: “It has taken a very special opportunity to prise me away from SASH. WSHFT, like SASH, is a high performing Trust, just along the coast from where I live. BSUH is a Trust on an improvement journey located in my home city. It really is the perfect opportunity for me to continue my contribution to the NHS.”
Alan has overseen both trusts’ continued improvement and is now an instrumental part of the leadership team, helping the two organisations move towards merger in 2021.
Learning of the honour, Alan said: “I’m delighted. It’s great to be recognised. It’s been a privilege to work with so many great people throughout my public sector career.
“It’s really recognition for all they’ve done. I’ve just been fortunate to work with so many brilliant people over so many years.
“It feels quite special to be honoured for the work that I’ve done for the National Health Service after changing career from local government where I had spent so many years before.”
BSUH and WSHT chief executive Dame Marianne Griffiths said: “I’m incredibly proud to work alongside Alan and we are all delighted that his service to the NHS has been recognised in this way.
“His energy, enthusiasm and commitment know no bounds and he has made a significant contribution to services at Western Sussex, and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, not least with our response to COVID.”
