The chief executive of Kettering General Hospital Foundation Trust has resigned following problems with emergency department performance.

Lorene Read resigned last week from the £192m-turnover district general hospital in the East Midlands.

The trust was placed in significant breach of the terms of its authorisation by Monitor in October 2012 over problems with its accident and emergency performance and financial position.

Kettering was consistently among the worst performing trusts nationally last winter.

Chair Steve Hone said: “Lorene has served the trust as chief executive for two years and in that time has shown exceptional personal commitment to the role. 

“However the trust has been unable to sustainably achieve the national four-hour A&E target and continues to experience continued pressure regarding its financial position. Lorene believes, as accountable officer, that she should accept ultimate responsibility for that performance.”

Ms Read, a former nurse, replaced Derek Bray, who left in March 2011 after only five months in post.

Kettering’s director of nursing and deputy chief executive Clare Cuplin will be acting chief executive until a permanent replacement is appointed.

HSJ understands a proposed merger between Kettering and Northampton General Hospital Trust has also been dropped.

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