The chair of a failing hospital trust has resigned, two months after it was placed in special measures.

Sir Peter Dixon resigned from his position as chair of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust (BHRUT) as of February 21, with Dr Maureen Dalziel called in to replace him as interim chair from February 24.

The trust runs King George Hospital, in Goodmayes, and Queen’s Hospital, in Romford, both of which were the subject of a Care Quality Commission report which raised concerns over patient safety.

The report claimed the leadership had failed to improve services despite previous warnings.

The report found unsafe care in A&E departments at both hospitals and said infection control procedures were insufficient.

A lack of full-time consultants and middle-grade doctors in the A&E departments was said to be compromising patient safety, while poor management of hospital capacity and discharge procedures was said to be putting patients’ lives at risk.

However the hospitals were commended for their at-home care services and stroke treatment.
The A&E department at King George has been earmarked for closure.

Chief executive Averil Dongworth said: “I would like to thank Peter for his support and guidance, and the valuable contribution he has made to the Trust."

Dr Dalziel added: “Since I joined the Board I have been hugely impressed by the efforts of staff, and this role gives me even more opportunity to focus on improving quality of care, patient services, and supporting the Trust through the implementation of its Improvement Plan.”