Monitor appoints interim Chief Executive at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust

Published on: 5th March 2009

On 3 March, Monitor the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts, used its formal powers to intervene at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. This was to appoint an Interim Chair (David Stone) and require the Trust to appoint an Interim Chief Executive of Monitor’s choice.  This followed a decision by the Chair to resign with immediate effect and notification from the Trust’s Chief Executive of his intention to step down.

Today, in accordance with the above, Monitor required the Trust to appoint Eric Morton, Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as its Interim Chief Executive. His appointment takes effect from today. Mr Morton will also remain as Chief Executive of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Monitor is requiring these interim appointments in order to put in place strategic and operational leadership to stabilise the Trust and ensure that progress continues towards the delivery of better patient care.

Monitor has been working closely with the Healthcare Commission throughout its investigation into services at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, and will consider whether any further regulatory action is necessary following publication of the Healthcare Commission’s report, and the Trust’s response to this.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  1. For media enquires please contact Anna Jefferson on 0207 340 2442
  2. Eric Morton has been Chief Executive of Chesterfield Royal Hospital since 2001, having previously been employed by the Trust as Deputy Chief Executive. He joined the NHS in 1987; previous posts include Director of Finance at North Derbyshire Health Authority. He is past Chairman of the Healthcare & Financial Management Association.
  3. The formal notice of intervention is available on the directory of NHS foundation trusts.
  4. Monitor’s Board has found that under section 52 of the 2006 Act, Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is in significant breach of two conditions of its authorisation and that discretionary intervention is necessary. Without a Chair and Chief Executive in place to provide strategic and operational leadership, there is a significant risk to the Trust’s ability to ensure the delivery of quality patient services going forwards in accordance with its Authorisation. In addition, the Trust is not compliant with the general duty under its Authorisation to exercise its functions effectively and efficiently.
  5. Monitor authorises and regulates NHS foundation trusts, ensuring they are well-managed and financially viable in order to deliver high quality healthcare for patients.
  6. Monitor was established in January 2004. It is independent of government and accountable to Parliament. Monitor’s functions and powers are set out in the National Health Service Act 2006.