St Andrew’s Healthcare, a UK charity providing specialist mental healthcare for patients with complex, challenging mental health needs, has appointed former health minister Paul Burstow as its new chair after Peter Carter said he would step down from the role due to ongoing shielding requirements.

Burstow was the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Sutton and Cheam from 1997 to 2015 and has insight into mental health and social care, having served as care minister during the Coalition government. He is a professor of mental health public policy at the University of Birmingham, and chair of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation, as well as the chair of the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

Burstow said: “I am excited by the opportunities and the challenges that St Andrew’s faces.  There is a wealth of talent and expertise in the organisation, I have been impressed by the progress that has been made and the determination to raise the bar on quality and safety. I am looking forward to joining the board and working with the chief executive and her team. Positive change is already making a difference for those who use our services. There is still more to do to deliver the charity’s turnaround strategy and ensure the best possible outcomes for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

On his decision to step down as chair, Carter said: “Having to step down from what is a very important role is a real disappointment for me, however it is the right thing to do in the interests of St Andrew’s and its patients. Given the transformation strategy currently being undertaken at the charity, it is simply not possible for me to carry out the full requirements of the role working virtually.

“I wish Paul the best of the luck in his new role, and I know with his extensive experience and with the guidance of the very strong executive team, collectively they will be able to bring about lasting and positive change across the organisation.”

Katie Fisher, chief executive of St Andrew’s added: “Peter, with his wealth of experience in the healthcare sector has been an enormous asset to the charity, providing calm and astute advice over the past year. He will be greatly missed. But we’re delighted to have Paul on board as our new chair. I have complete confidence that, together, we will be able to continue with the charity’s turnaround strategy and deliver on our ambition of being a highly respected organisation in the field of mental health, both as a provider and in the research and education arena.”