Colchester: Hospital Chief Exec Quits

18 December 2013, 12:42 | Updated: 18 December 2013, 12:49

The Chief Executive of the trust that runs Colchester Hospital is standing down.

Dr Gordon Coutts is leaving by mutual agreement. 

The decision comes after the Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust was put into special measures last month after cancer patients' records were found to have been tampered with. 

Staff at the hospital had told the Care Quality Commission they had been "pressured or bullied" to change waiting time data. 

Dr Coutts has been in the role since September 2010, having previously been a Non-Executive Director. 

In a statement he said: "I realise that this is an extremely difficult time for the Trust as it seeks to understand where it has failed patients in the past and seeks to rebuild the confidence of patients, the public and stakeholders in the many excellent services it offers. 

"Underpinning this will be the need to lead and support staff to deliver high quality and safe services. I regret that there have been problems in the Trust's cancer services. 

"As Chief Executive I always took my responsibility for what happened in the organisation very seriously. 

"I am sorry that some of our patients were let down and that what has happened may have damaged local people's confidence in their hospitals."

High competent and dedicated staff 

He added: "I am extremely proud to leave behind a highly competent and dedicated leadership team that I am confident will take forward the improvements currently underway in the Trust. 

"I should also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the many excellent staff who work so hard for patients and who I know will ensure that any lessons learned from the recent events will reinforce the Trust's commitment to deliver the very best and consistent patient experience." 

Sue Barnett, the Deputy CEO, will take charge for the time being while transition arrangements are confirmed and an interim CEO is identified. 

The Trust will be advertising for a new substantive CEO early in the New Year. 

The Trust has confirmed that Dr Coutts will continue to be available to provide information as and when required to the ongoing Independent Investigation.

The Chief Executive of the trust that runs Colchester Hospital is standing down.
Dr Gordon Coutts is leaving by mutual agreement.
The decision comes after the Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust was put into special measures last month after cancer patients' records were found to have been tampered with.
Staff at the hospital had told the Care Quality Commission they had been "pressured or bullied" to change waiting time data.
Dr Coutts has been in the role since September 2010, having previously been a Non-Executive Director.
In a statement he said: "I realise that this is an extremely difficult time for the Trust as it seeks to understand where it has failed patients in the past and seeks to rebuild the confidence of patients, the public and stakeholders in the many excellent services it offers. 
"Underpinning this will be the need to lead and support staff to deliver high quality and safe services. I regret that there have been problems in the Trust's cancer services. 
"As Chief Executive I always took my responsibility for what happened in the organisation very seriously. 
"I am sorry that some of our patients were let down and that what has happened may have damaged local people's confidence in their hospitals."
He added: "I am extremely proud to leave behind a highly competent and dedicated leadership team that I am confident will take forward the improvements currently underway in the Trust. 
"I should also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the many excellent staff who work so hard for patients and who I know will ensure that any lessons learned from the recent events will reinforce the Trust's commitment to deliver the very best and consistent patient experience."
Sue Barnett, the Deputy CEO, will take charge for the time being while transition arrangements are confirmed and an interim CEO is identified. The Trust will be advertising for a new substantive CEO early in the New Year.
The Trust has confirmed that Dr Coutts will continue to be available to provide information as and when required to the ongoing Independent Investigation.