NHS England has announced that its national lead for equality and diversity Paula Vasco-Knight has left her post.

Dr Vasco-Knight agreed with the national body on Tuesday that she would leave her role. On Thursday tribunal findings were released that ruled that South Devon Healthcare Foundation Trust - a trust which Dr Vasco-Knight serves as chief executive - concealed a report that contained accusations of “nepotism” against her.

However, NHS England denied that Dr Vasco-Knight’s departure had anything to do with the tribunal findings.

An NHS England spokeswoman said that Dr Vasco-Knight’s “part-time secondment” had now come to an end.

She said: “We have been talking to Paula Vasco-Knight since October about her growing workload in the trust locally and therefore her capacity to continue in her national role. 

“Earlier this week we agreed that the balance was not sustainable and that she would cease her national role with immediate effect to allow her to focus on local priorities.”

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