New chief executive for East Kent

Matthew Kershaw, who has been chief executive at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust for the last three years, will take over the reins at East Kent.

The trust was placed in special measures last year and the Care Quality Commission recently recommended it remain in special measures for another six months despite praising the progress the new trust board had made.

Brighton and Sussex has struggled with poor accident and emergency performance and long waiting times for elective operations.

Mr Kershaw was previously chief operating officer at East Kent for two years. He has also held senior positions at the Department of Health, Salisbury FT, South London Healthcare Trust and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust.

Mr Kershaw was the special administrator who oversaw the break up of South London Healthcare Trust and made recommendations for how the services should be divided up between neighbouring trusts.

Mr Kershaw does not have a start date, but he will be leaving Brighton and Sussex in December. He will take over from Chris Bown, who has been interim chief executive since March.

Deputy chief executive Amanda Fadero will act as interim chief executive at Brighton and Sussex.

East Kent chair Nikki Cole, said: “I am delighted that Matthew will be returning to East Kent in this leadership role. He brings a wealth of ideas and experience from a career across the NHS. I look forward to working closely with him as we lead innovation, change and build on the improvements we have already made to improve care and treatment for the patients who rely on us.”

Mr Kershaw said: “I am delighted to accept the position as chief executive at East Kent Hospitals and I look forward to working with staff, patients and other stakeholders to further progress the trust’s work to deliver excellent hospital services for local people.”

He added that it was with “very mixed emotions” that he was leaving Brighton and Sussex.

“Of course it has also been a very challenging time, for BSUH and across the NHS as a whole, and I am disappointed to be leaving at a time when we are, I believe, on the brink of emerging into a period of recovery and stability. BSUH is a team made up of thousands of extraordinary, talented and brilliant people who it has been an absolute pleasure to work with and alongside and I will miss everyone very much,” he said.