Appointment of new chair for Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust announced
Dr Nicolas Small, has been announced as chair of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) from April 2024, joining the Trust from his role as a partner member (Primary Medical Services) of the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board. He takes up the role, following Dr Linda Sheridan’s retirement this month, who has been chair for the past four years.
Nicolas trained at St Mary's Hospital London and has been a GP in Hertsmere since 1996. He represented the Hertsmere locality and championed patient involvement as well as his clinical leadership for training and education. He is also the former chair of Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Nicolas who has a passion for community services is especially interested in support for carers and making sure that patients and the public are fully engaged.
Elliot Howard Jones, chief executive at HCT, said: “I am pleased to announce Nicolas as our new chair who brings a wealth of experience and skills to the role. His passion for community services will help us to continue delivering the best quality care for our patients and lead innovative service changes to help us meet the needs of our local communities.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Linda Sheridan, who is retiring as chair this month. Linda has made a brilliant contribution to the Trust over the past decade which has seen the Trust grow and develop during her tenure as chair and non-executive. As the chair for the last four years I would like to thank Linda for the support she has given me personally in the leadership of the organisation Linda has been an enthusiastic advocate for our patients and staff to help us continuously improve the quality of care we provide to the local communities we serve."
Linda Sheridan, current chair at HCT, said: “I am delighted at Nicolas’s appointment. He is highly experienced and will bring lots of energy, to ensure we are meeting the needs of the local communities we serve. For my part I am immensely proud to have been a member of the Board of HCT for over 10 years, as chair for the past four years. In that time, I have seen the trust develop and grow. I am grateful to our wonderful caring staff who work hard to give our patients the best quality care. Innovative service changes have ensured that we continue to make a positive difference to our patients lives and go from strength to strength.
“I would like to say thank you also to the executive team and my fellow Board members for their support and contributions along the way. I know that Nicolas will be warmly welcomed, and I look forward to seeing HCT develop under his leadership.”
On his appointment, incoming chair Nicolas said:
“I am excited to be joining HCT at a time when the need to provide treatment to allow severe illness to be managed at home and to support children to develop their life potential is more needed than ever, as is collaboration with our partners in health and care to address these patient needs. Linda has been a compassionate and caring leader and I hope to build on her achievements with a talented team who are clearly committed to delivering outstanding and innovative care for the communities HCT serve.”
