Tributes have been paid to a “wonderfully kind” former NHS Trust chair who “dedicated more than a decade of her life to improving healthcare for the people of Ceredigion” after she passed away suddenly last month.

Hywel Dda Health Board said the death of Eleri Ebenezer, the former chair of the Ceredigion & Mid Wales NHS Trust was met by everyone at the health board with “great sadness”.

Ms Ebenezer, originally from the county, held the position as NHS Trust chair for Ceredigion between 1996 and 2006 before moving to London where she became a councillor for the London Borough of Ealing for 16 years, and where she served as chair of social services and employee relations.

She also worked for the BBC for 25 years.

More recently she was the chair of Certitude, an adult social care provider in London.

She passed away suddenly on Wednesday, 18 August.

Matthew Willis, head of service development and integration at Bronglais Hospital added: “Eleri was a highly dedicated, friendly and compassionate chair.

“She would happily give her time when staff, whom she frequently described as dedicated and enthusiastic, needed advice or support.

“She cared passionately about patients and was a strong advocate for Bronglais Hospital as a strategically important provider of accessible services to the population of mid Wales and took a significant interest in initiatives that drove quality and service improvements to deliver better patient care and experience.”

Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, Maria Battle said: “Whilst I didn’t have the honour of meeting Eleri myself, I understand she was passionate about delivering excellent healthcare to the community she served and a supportive leader to the team who worked for her.

“She devoted a decade of her life to improving healthcare for the people of Ceredigion and mid Wales, laying the groundwork for many of the services which the community benefits from today, and for that we are extremely grateful.”

The health board added that “our thoughts are with Eleri’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Aisling Duffy, chief executive of Certitude, said Ms Ebenezer was “well-loved and valued” member of the Certitude family.

“Working with Eleri over the past 11 years has been a privilege,” she said.

“Above all, she was wonderfully kind and caring in nature.

“She will be incredibly missed.”