- Two more executive directors to leave EKHUFT
- HSJ reported yesterday that four execs had left or were leaving
- Departures will leave two executives with at least three years’ service
More than half the executive board members at East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust are leaving in the space of a few months – leaving only two who have served at least three years.
Six of the scandal-hit trust’s directors have left or are in the process of leaving, while only four are remaining.
HSJ reported the departures of four of its executives yesterday.
This morning the provider, whose maternity care failings were detailed in an investigation report by lead investigator Bill Kirkup in October, told HSJ of two more.
These are: Neil Wrigglesworth, director of infection prevention and control, who will retire this summer; and Tina Ivanov, director of quality governance, who will join another trust in the spring. Both are non-voting board members.
The four reported yesterday were: Deputy chief executive Liz Shutler, who has left for neighbouring Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust; chief operating officer Rebecca Carlton, who has taken a job at Barts Healthcare Trust; chief finance officer Philip Cave, who will leave in April; and chief nursing and midwifery officer Sarah Shingler, who is leaving in the summer to become CNO at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust.
It will leave only two executives who have served more than three years: chief people officer Andrea Ashman, who joined in 2017, and director of communications and engagement Natalie Yost, who joined in 2016.
Its chief executive Tracey Fletcher joined last year and medical director Rebecca Martin in 2020.
Losing more than half its executives in the space of about six months will put it among the trusts with the very highest short-term executive turnover.
The trust will also soon have a relatively new team of non-executives. Chair Niall Dickson joined in 2021. Vice chair Jane Ollis will finish her second term in May and chair of the finance and performance committee Nigel Mansley will finish his second term in June. Both could only be reappointed “in exceptional circumstances”, according to the trust’s constitution.
Of the other non-executives, one started in 2019, four in 2021 and two in 2022.
The trust was heavily criticised in the Kirkup report into maternity and neonatal care which was published in October. Dr Kirkup said that the churn of senior management which the trust had experienced in the years leading up to the report had been “wholly counterproductive”. It also came under question during the height of the pandemic for infection control concerns.
Ms Fletcher said: “I would like to thank my colleagues for their contribution to the trust and to our patients. We fully support those taking up new opportunities and wish them well in their new roles.
“The trust board is determined to recruit executives equally committed to supporting the delivery of high-quality safe care for our community and the process to appoint to these posts has already begun to help ensure there is a smooth transition.”
Updated 16.05 26 January with trust comment
Source
Trust statement
Source Date
Janaury 2023
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