30.08.16
Southern Health CEO steps down
The trust at the heart of an ongoing scandal into patient deaths has announced that its chief executive is resigning.
Katrina Percy has previously refused to resign as CEO of Southern Health NHS FT, a mental health and learning disability trust that has been under fire since Connor Sparrowhawk, an 18-year-old patient, died in 2013 while under the trust’s care.
It was subsequently found that between April 2011 and March 2015 the trust experienced 1,454 unexpected patient deaths, of which it investigated just 13%.
After a CQC inspection found Southern was still failing to make improvements, NHS Improvement intervened, appointing Tim Smart as the new interim chair.
Southern has subsequently admitted responsibility for Connor Sparrowhawk’s death and paid compensation to his family.
Percy said: “I have reflected on the effect the ongoing personal media attention has had on staff and patients and have come to the conclusion that this has made my role untenable.”
Smart said he supported Percy’s decision, adding: “Katrina has ensured that Southern Health is now working more closely with other health and care organisations in the region to provide more joined up care, so more people receive support at the right time and place.
“Katrina leaves the trust financially sound and well-positioned to create a new form of multi-specialty community provider in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I wish Katrina every success in her future endeavours, and thank her for her years of service.”
Smart’s review of the trust stopped short of calling for Percy’s resignation, although it said that she had been “too operationally focused”. It also said that the trust’s learning disability services should be taken over by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Smart’s appointment has also proven controversial, with the Southern Health board of governors attempting to hold a meeting and issue a vote of no confidence in the current board despite his opposition.
Julie Dawes, who was appointed the trust’s director of nursing and quality in May, will now take over as interim CEO.
Dr Matthew Patrick, CEO of South London and Maudsley NHS FT, and Jon Allen, non-executive director and former director of nursing at Oxford Health, will provide her with support.
(Image c. Peter Facey)
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