Trust chief appointed permanent ‘group CEO’ despite ‘poor behaviour’ finding

Royal Wolverhampton Trust chief executive David Loughton was brought in as interim CEO at Walsall Healthcare Trust in spring 2021, alongside joint chair Professor Steve Field. 

Professor Field has confirmed to HSJ that Mr Loughton has now been appointed permanent chief executive of Walsall.

HSJ understands the role was not advertised internally or externally. 

Professor Field said in a statement: “(David Loughton) will now be group chief executive of both Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trusts, providing a strategic lead for the development of both trusts and our work together. 

“This will enable us to play a key role in the broader provider collaborative in the Black Country, and in the wider health and care system; working with partners to tackle health inequalities and to be a strong voice for staff, our patients and their communities.

“The remuneration committee agreed the appointment of Professor Loughton in line with HR and legal advice and in accordance with the established strategic direction of the trust.”

He added: “He had been carrying out the role on an interim basis since last April. Both trusts will continue to be separate statutory organisations with their own boards.”

Appointment follows ‘poor behaviour’ review

Earlier this year, an NHS England review found Mr Loughton, who has been chief executive of Royal Wolverhampton Trust for almost 20 years, had behaved “poorly and inappropriately” during his early tenure at Walsall.

The same review found Professor Field had been “complicit” with such behaviour and had failed to address problems.

According to information collected by former NHS Improvement medical director Kathy McLean, Mr Loughton had called both executive and non-executive directors at Walsall “useless” on more than one occasion, while Professor Field had said he was “ashamed to call himself chair”.

Both leaders apologised, saying they were “motivated by patient safety” amid concerns over quality issues, but added they were “sorry if (their) actions caused offence”. 

Professor Field later told Walsall’s February board that he was now “really proud” to be chair of the trust.

Board now ‘more inclusive’

In February, NHSE said it would be supporting the extension of Mr Loughton and Mr Field’s roles at Walsall, adding that the stability would benefit the board and the trust.

In a letter to the pair dated 31 January 2022, NHSE also noted there had been “significant change in trust board membership” which had “eased initial tensions”. 

There was also reference to new non-executive directors being recruited.

The letter added: “There was a consensus that the board and executive team are working together more effectively, with recent conversations feeling more inclusive.”

National leaders also said a local “system review” was due to be held about the case, and that NHSE would use “any specific learning in terms of the regulatory and improvement regime within NHS Midlands through our own regional governance processes”.

NHSE’s Midlands team added that it had “issued an apology to those individuals who had raised concerns directly with NHSE/I”.