A DIRECTOR and an advisor have been appointed to help oversee NHS community services.

The changes have been made at Sussex Community NHS Trust, which provides healthcare across Brighton and Hove and West Sussex, including specialist and school nursing, health visiting, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

Elizabeth Woodman has been named a new non-executive director of the trust board and Janice Needham has become a board adviser.

Ms Woodman is a former solicitor and chartered tax adviser and Ms Needham is an independent management consultant working primarily in the not-for-profit sector.

Trust chairwoman Sue Sjuve said: “These two appointments will significantly strengthen the board at this exciting stage in the trust’s development as we continue to focus resolutely on improving the quality of care while equally working to consolidate our long-term sustainable future, including the achievement of NHS foundation trust status.”

Both board members will be given an annual payment of £6,157 a year.