Chief executive to leave troubled trust

Simon Wright, who has been CEO at SATH since 2015, is set to “take up a role working with sustainability and transformation partnerships”.

The detail of the position has not been confirmed, but Mr Wright is due to take up the role on 22 July, the trust said.

The trust last month received its fourth warning notice from the Care Quality Commission in the space of eight months over the safety of its services. In November last year, the CQC rated it “inadequate” for the safety and well led categories.

Mr Wright’s departure also comes amid an external review into more than 200 potential cases of poor maternity care at the trust. The investigation was launched by the last health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

In January, the trust’s board approved long-running reconfiguration plans, which will see one of its two accident and emergency units downgraded.

The trust’s executive has seen significant turnover since September, with changes to the deputy chief executive, medical director, finance director, chief nurse, and head of midwifery. A new chair joined in January 2018.

The trust did not give a reason for Mr Wright’s departure.

Mr Wright said in a statement: “The decision to leave the trust hasn’t been an easy one to make as I have loved my time at SATH and would like to thank everybody for the support they have given me.

“I believe the trust is at the start of an exciting journey, and although there are still many challenges remaining the foundations have been laid to build a better future.”

Trust chair Ben Reid said: “We will be building upon the foundations he has laid to ensure we can deliver the first class service that the public we serve deserve.”