Medway: Hospital Chairman & Chief Executive Depart

30 January 2014, 19:01

The Chairman and Chief Executive of the trust that runs Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham have both announced their departures. The hospital was put in Special Measures last year following the Keogh report into high death rates.

This is the statement released by the trust on Thursday

The Chairman and Chief Executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust have decided that the time is right for them to move on and hand over the leadership of the Trust to a new team.
 
Denise Harker, the Trust Chairman, has led the Trust through a particularly challenging and difficult period over the last two years and during this time has strengthened the board with new appointments.  She said, "We have some amazing and dedicated staff at this Trust and I am proud to have worked with them.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow board members, Trust members and Governors for their tremendous support and encouragement."
 
Mark Devlin, the Trust Chief Executive, completed the appointment of a new executive management team last summer and has created an environment in which the Trust's clinical transformation strategy and capital investment programme can both be delivered.  Mark said, "After four years as Chief Executive I feel this is the right moment to move on and encourage a new leadership to build on what's been achieved and take the Trust forward into its next phase.  It's been a real privilege to work with everyone in Team Medway."
 
Colin Wilby, the Trust's Senior Independent Director, said, "On behalf of the Trust board and Governors, I would like to thank Mark and Denise for their dedication and integrity.  Their commitment to public service is indisputable and we wish them both every success in the future."
 
The succession arrangements for the Trust Chairman and Chief Executive are expected to be announced next month. Denise and Mark will work with their successors to achieve a smooth transition and handover of leadership.