30.04.15
Chief executive of King’s College Hospital FT resigns
The chief executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.
Tim Smart joined King’s in 2008 and was instrumental in the formation of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC), and oversaw the trust in the acquisition of the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in 2013.
However, since the takeover the trust has struggled, and has now built up a £42.5m deficit. It has also had issues with meeting A&E waiting time targets and has been investigated by Monitor over concerns patients were waiting too long for elective treatments.
Prior to his resignation, Smart was off sick and he has not taken another role.
In a statement released by the trust, Smart said: “It has been a privilege to be part of Team King's since 2008. King’s is a world leader in so many ways; uniquely, we provide high quality care for local patients, as well as being a tertiary centre for many specialties, and academic medicine. I hope too that we are a more inclusive organisation, which has been an important goal for me.
“I retire from my role as chief executive of King’s with a mixture of sorrow and pride, plus excitement about what the future holds. I shall treasure each and every experience and memory of King's.”
The trust’s COO, Roland Sinker, has been acting chief executive while Smart was off sick and will continue to do so until a permanent appointment is made.
Lord (Bob) Kerslake, the former head of the Civil Service who took over as chair of the trust at the beginning of April, said: “I am new to the trust, but I know from colleagues and hospital staff that Tim’s contribution over the last seven years has been significant. On behalf of the trust, I would like to thank Tim for his hard work over the years, and strong commitment to patient care, which I know was always his number one priority. He will be missed, and I wish him well for the future.”
(Image source: Fan Yang)
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