Goulston, who has led a range of NHS organisations in London, is also well-known in the Kent and Medway NHS system. He is due to complete his term as chair of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust in 2025 and is a former interim chair of Kent and Medway Integrated Care System, as well as having other roles on partnership bodies.

'I am looking forward to joining the trust and working with board members and the hospital's amazing staff to ensure the very best of care for patients in the communities of Medway and Swale,' Goulston said.

His appointment was agreed by Medway's council of governors following a recruitment process. He replaces acting chair Mark Spragg who took over from Jo Palmer when she left for a professional role in the US in October 2023.

Lead governor David Brake said: 'John's experience in non-executive and executive roles within the NHS will be invaluable in supporting the improvements underway at the trust. He joins us at a point in our journey where we need to embed the changes we have made, and drive further improvements for our patients, and I believe he has just the experience and skills we need.'

Chief executive Jayne Black said: 'I am delighted to welcome John into the trust and look forward to working with him on our Patient First transformation programme which is improving the care we provide.

'I would also like to thank Mark for all he has done for the trust as a non-executive director over the past seven years, and for taking on the role of acting chair more recently.'