THREE new non-executive Directors are joining the board of directors at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

Penny Venables and Martin Newsholme have started as non-executive directors, while Dr John Pepper will be joining the Oswestry-based hospital in July as Associate Non-Executive Director.

Penny has almost 40 years' experience of working in the NHS, including in executive director and chief executive roles.

She is currently an Associate at In-Form Solutions where she has provided specialised support and expertise to the health, social care and non-for-profit sectors across Birmingham and Solihull.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as a Non-Executive Director at RJAH – having worked in specialised orthopaedics during my career."

“RJAH has an important role to play in the overall health economy and I very much look forward to working with partners across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.”

Martin, who is a chartered accountant, is currently a senior non-executive director at Shropshire Doctors Co-operative Ltd, known as Shropdoc.

Martin said: “I am very pleased to be joining the Board at RJAH as the Trust looks to build on its track record of first-class patient care and address the challenges that have arisen in the past two years.

“I look forward to working with all colleagues as we strive to continue to provide outstanding care for patients and to maintain a supportive working environment for all our staff."

Dr Pepper has worked as a GP in Shropshire for 26 years, and is currently chairman of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW) Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Dr Pepper said: “Having worked as a GP in Shropshire for many years, I have shared the care of many patients who have received the excellence of treatment that underpins the values of this organisation."