UK Edition
Southern Health boss quits...but will still receive £240,000 a year as adviser for troubled trust
The chief executive of the beleaguered Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has agreed to stand down following heavy criticism - yet will receive the same pay and benefits in an advisory role.
Katrina Percy will continue to be paid around £240,000 a year even though the Care Quality Commission said in April that the trust was still failing to protect patients from risk of harm.
Southern has been under intense scrutiny since an independent review found it had failed to investigate the unexpected deaths of hundreds of its patients between 2011 and 2015.
In July it emerged that the trust paid millions of pounds to consultancy firms run by previous associates of Ms Percy.
One firm was paid more than £5 million for a contract that was originally tendered for £288,000, while another firm was awarded a contract for around £600,000 for which it did not have to bid.
Ms Percy said she was stepping aside from the top job after her position became 'untenable'.
In a statement, she said: "I have reflected on the effect the ongoing personal media attention has had on staff and patients and have come to the conclusion that this has made my role untenable.
"I have, therefore, come to the difficult decision to step down from my role as chief executive after nine years.
"I am delighted to be taking on an alternative role, providing strategic advice to local GP leaders as they work with others to transform the way in which health services are delivered across Hampshire, and I feel that now is the right time to take on that new challenge.
"I know, and understand, that many will say I should have stepped down sooner given the very public concerns which have been raised in the past months. I stayed on as I firmly believed it was my responsibility to oversee the necessary improvements and to continue the ground-breaking work we have begun with GPs to transform care for our patients."
The trust said Julie Dawes, who joined the organisation in May as director of nursing and quality, is now acting as interim chief executive.
Last year, Ms Percy earned a salary of at least £185,000 plus at least £52,500 in pension-related benefits. But she will continue to receive that sum as an adviser.
Southern has been under intense scrutiny following the deaths of hundreds of patients, including 18-year-old Connor Sparrowhawk who died in 2013.
In October, a jury inquest ruled that neglect contributed to the death of Mr Sparrowhawk, who drowned after an epileptic seizure at Slade House in Headington, Oxfordshire.
In April the Care Quality Commission inspectors found that robust arrangements to investigate incidents, including deaths, had not been put in place, resulting in 'missed opportunities' to prevent similar events.
Southern Health is a mental health trust providing services to 45,000 people across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
It employs around 9,000 staff who work from over 200 sites, including community hospitals, health centres, inpatient units and social care services.
Tim Smart, interim chairman of the Trust, added: "Katrina has come to the conclusion that due to the significant focus on her as an individual, it is in the best interests of the Trust, patients and staff for her to step down. I have agreed, on the basis that her position has become untenable because of ongoing personal media attention.
"Katrina has ensured that Southern Health is now working more closely with other health and care organisations in the region to provide more joined-up care, so more people receive support at the right time and place."