The former Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston is to become the new chairman of the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust (MEHT).

Mr Alston, who lives in Chelmsford, was previously a non-executive director on the board in 2011, before he was elected commissioner in 2012.

“I am honoured to have been appointed to the role of chairman for MEHT,” he said.

“We have a very strong leadership team and some of the finest clinical and non-clinical staff absolutely committed to providing the best possible treatment for all those that need to access our services.”

Current chairwoman, Professor Shelia Salmon, will become chairwoman of Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust.

Prof Salmon said: “I am delighted to hand the baton on to Nick, safe in the knowledge the trust will continue to benefit from his excellent strategic leadership and insight into the health and social care economy.”