DARENT Valley Hospital has appointed a new non-executive director.

Ronald Edmondson, who is chief executive of Hunter Group PLC and a chairman of Waterloo Air Management PLC, will be a director at the Dartford hospital until October 31, 2005.

He was appointed by chairman of the NHS Appointments Commission Sir William Wells and will be paid £5,140-a-year.

Mr Edmondson, who has extensive experience in the construction industry, is a qualified accountant and married with three children.