The Minister was speaking following the announcement from Mrs Fitzsimons that she is to resign as Chair of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust from 31st July 2008.
Mr McGimpsey said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Fitzsimons for the invaluable contribution which she has made since taking up her post as Chair of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in August 2006.
“I have the highest regard for the professional manner in which she led the Trust through this period of unprecedented change for Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
“Mrs Fitzsimons has been a committed Chair of the Trust, her talents and enthusiasm will be sorely missed. I would like to wish her well for the future.”
The Minister concluded: “My Department will immediately commence the process to appoint her successor.”
Notes to Editors:
- Mrs Fitzsimons was a former non-executive director of Down Lisburn Health and Social Services Trust from September 1993, and was appointed Chair of the Trust in September 2001. She remained as Chair until she was appointed Chair of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust for a four year period from 1 August 2006.
- The post of Chair will be filled by a new appointment by the Minister following a process under the principles approved by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
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