AS MANY people are aware hospitals are big organisations spending millions of pounds and try to be many things to many people.

They are challenging to run but perform an incredibly important role in the life of our local community which is why it is vital that we have local people involved in their management.

Here at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust we are looking for up to three nonexecutive directors to help with this challenge due to the retirement and relocation of three long serving directors who have helped to oversee a significant improvement in services in recent years.

Local people (particularly from the boroughs of Elmbridge, Hounslow, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, and Woking) who have gained senior level expertise in the private, public or voluntary sectors, are needed especially if they have significant or senior level experience in one or more of the following areas; finance at a senior level in a large and complex organisation, ideally with a finance qualifi-cation, governance experience; bringing strategic analysis, decision-taking, risk and performance management skills or patient focus or commercial experience at senior level.

More information can be found at www.appointments.org.uk/vacancies or call 0870 240 3802 quoting the reference SE8392. The closing date for applications is May 16, 2008. We would particularly welcome applications from women, people from the black and minority ethnic communities and people with a disability to promote full community involvement in the activities of our hospitals.

CLIVE THOMPSON Chairman, St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey.