WORCESTERSHIRE Health and Care NHS Trust is looking to recruit a new non-executive director to join its board.

The health body - the county’s main provider of community nursing, therapy and mental health services including five community hospitals – is welcoming applications until Thursday, August 20.

Unlike executive directors, non-executive directors are not involved in the day-to-day running of the organisation but are “just as responsible for ensuring it is operating in the public interest and in a transparent and ethical way, is well planned for the future and is generally operating effectively”.

Peter Lachecki, one of six current non-executives, is urging people to come forward and apply for the role.

He said: “There are so many advantages of being a part of an organisation like this.

“You can help influence the health care provided to local people and be part of setting the long-term strategy on how to improve the care they receive.

“You also have an influence over critical parts of the working of the trust such as quality and safety, recruitment and other services.

“Of course there are cons too. We are all aware of the current financial situation within the NHS so that can be frustrating and it can, at times, be very political.

“It would also be very easy for it to become your life – there are numerous committees and board meetings to go to, as well as ensuring you keep on top of local and national issues and strategies that may affect the organisation.

“But knowing that at the end of it you are helping to provide better care for people in the county outweighs the cons. I would certainly recommend it.”

The trust has described the ideal candidate as having “a genuine commitment to patients and the promotion of excellent health care services”, as well as senior level experience in finance, IT or organisational development in a large and complex organisation.

To apply for the role – which is specially for an associate non-executive director, who will sit on the board but does not have voting rights – visit ntda.nhs.uk