The country's largest NHS trust has announced a replacement for its departing chief executive on the same day it was judged 'inadequate' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Barts NHS Health was placed in special measures in March after Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone was given the lowest possible rating and found patients' were being put at risk. 

Today, an inspection report at its sister hospital's The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and Newham University Hospital identified 65 areas where the trust must urgently improve, including poor leadership, low morale, a culture of bullying and low staff levels. 

Chief executive, Peter Morris, announced in February he is to step down this summer after six years saying he can no longer provide the long-term leadership commitment needed to move the trust towards foundation status. 

The resignation, along with trust chairman Stephen O'Brien and chief nurse Professor Kay Riley came a month before the Leytonstone hospital's damning CQC findings, and the announcement of its £93m deficit - the biggest ever recorded.

According to a report by E-Reward.co.uk in April, Mr Morris was the highest paid chief executive in the UK last year with a salary of up to £280,000. 

Alwen Williams CBE, a qualified nurse, midwife and NHS manager since 1980, will replace Mr Morris as interim chief executive on June 1. 

Her background involves 12 years’ experience of being an NHS chief executive at Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (PCT), NHS East London and the City, and NHS North East London.

She has worked in primary care, community and acute services, commissioning and joint planning and spent nine years working at The Royal London Hospital.  

Ms Williams, said: "As a local resident of east London, Barts Health provides many of the services my family and I have used for a number years. 

"I know how talented, dedicated and committed staff across the organisation are and I look forward to working as part of the trust to support them to deliver the very best possible care for local people."

Since April 2013, she has been working in a national role as director of delivery and development for the London region at the NHS Trust Development Authority, and more recently the improvement director at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust (BHRUT). 

She will also be the improvement director for Barts Health. 

A CQC inspection report of the BHRUT, which was placed in special measure in December 2013, is expected this month.  

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Departing chief executive Peter Morris