Chair quits on eve of shake-up

The chair of zero-starred Ashford and St Peter's Hospital trust has stepped down following the decision to franchise its management.

S¯an Flynn has been in the position for four years.

She said: 'With the announcement of franchising and the prospective arrival of a new chief executive, I am sure that the trust and its top team would be best served by the appointment of a new chairman.'

Ms Flynn, whose decision took immediate effect, said she expected to 'continue to make a contribution to the NHS' in the future.

Non-executive director Mary Riley will become the trust's acting chair.