§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many names were considered for the Chairmanship of the Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust when the post was filled(a) on the last occasion and (b) on the previous occasion; and when the current period of office ends. [48945]
528W
§ Mr. MilburnPrior to the chairmanship becoming vacant on 1 December 1997, only three potential candidates had been identified through national advertisement and nomination. To ensure a more competitive field the post was readvertised locally. In the interim period Professor Salmon was reappointed for three months. Following the readvertisement, 8 candidates were initially considered by a sifting panel as a result of which 2 candidates were interviewed for the post. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State subsequently accepted the recommendation of the regional chairman that Professor Michael Salmon should be reappointed from 1 March 1998 until 30 November 2001.