Mid Staffs chief exec confirms departure next year

Turnaround expert Antony Sumara took over from interim chief executive Eric Morton in August 2009.

Previous incumbent Martin Yeates resigned in May of that year following the publication of the Healthcare Commission’s damning report on care failings at the trust two months earlier.

Mr Sumara’s previous roles have included interim chief at Bromley Hospitals Trust and Hillingdon Primary Care Trust, permanent chief at University Hospital of North Staffordshire Trust, all of which had large debts. He was also turnaround director at NHS London.

It is understood Mr Sumara will step down when his contract ends in August.

Trust chair Sir Stephen Moss said it was no surprise that Mr Sumara was leaving but his decision to go will lead to speculation about who will take over at the troubled trust.

A public inquiry into the regulation and monitoring of the trust is due to last into the middle of 2011.

Sir Stephen said:  “We have always known that Antony would leave the trust during 2011. 

“He is doing an excellent job under difficult circumstances in ensuring the trust focuses on improving the quality of care for patients, and I am confident that he will carry on doing so on until his term of office finishes.”