Craissati is currently chair of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and Crohn's and Colitis UK.

‘I'm delighted to be working with the board and wider team at EPUT to continue their focus on developing and improving services for communities across Essex and beyond,' Carissati said.

‘I've always been passionate about high quality health care, and the potential for mental health and community services to work closer together.

‘I welcome this opportunity to follow on from the work of the trust's former, inspirational chair Hattie Llewelyn-Davis who I had the pleasure to know for many years.'

Craissati has worked in the NHS for more than 30 years as a consultant clinical and forensic psychologist and was clinical sirector for the Forensic and Prisons Directorate in Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.

Trevor Smith, EPUT's interim chief, said: ‘We're delighted that Jackie will be joining the Trust, bringing her experience and leadership to EPUT at this critical time in the transformation of services to give our patients the best possible care.'