Colchester: Hospital Hires New Chief Exec

6 January 2014, 17:09 | Updated: 6 January 2014, 17:12

The NHS trust that runs Colchester General Hospital was put into special measures in November

The NHS trust that runs Colchester Hospital has appointed a new Chief Executive.

Kim Hodgson has been hired on an interim basis after Dr Gordon Coutts resigned last month following the scandal into cancer patient waiting times

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust was put into 'special measures' in November last year, after a report by the Care Quality Commission found staff had been "pressured or bullied" into falsifying cancer patient waiting time. 

The matter was also referred to Essex Police who have now started their own investigation

Ms Hodgson, who is a trained and registered nurse, has previously been Chief Executive for East Sussex NHS Trust.

For the last three years she has worked with the NHS, specialising in health service improvement, and will formally take up her role on January 13. 

She said: "I am delighted to have been asked to lead the Trust and I look forward to working with staff and to meeting some of our patients. From what I have seen and heard already, there is a strong patient focus across both hospitals and I am confident that we can rise to the challenges that we face." 

She added: "With the support of the Board, I want to set a clear direction for the Trust and work closely with partners in local health and social care settings to continue to provide and develop services in which local people can feel completely confident." 

Speaking of the appointment, Dr Sally Irvine, Trust Chair, said: "I am very pleased to welcome Kim as our interim Chief Executive. We have been lucky to attract a very strong candidate within such a short period of time. 

"I believe that Kim has the experience, drive and commitment to lead the Trust forward after what has been a difficult year for our staff and for the wider hospital community." 

Today's announcement has come as the current Deputy Chief Executive, Sue Barnett, has announced her resignation. 

The Trust says it will be advertising shortly for a new substantive Chief Executive