The chief executive of an under-fire hospital trust is leaving his role just weeks after a damning inspection saw its A&E downgraded to the lowest rating by the health watchdog.

James Devine, chief executive of the Medway NHS Foundation Trust, will leave in the spring to take up an undisclosed national role within the NHS, it has been confirmed.

Inspectors visited the hospital in Gillingham before Christmas and found patients were at risk due to delays in the accident and emergency department.

The unit was rated as inadequate and a warning notice was issued to the trust.

Mr Devine has spent five years at the trust, having joined in 2016 as the organisation's executive director of human resources before being appointed chief executive two-and-a-half years ago.

He said: "Medway is my local hospital, and it will always have a special place in my heart. I have been incredibly proud to be chief executive, and privileged to work with colleagues who care as passionately as me about caring for our patients.

“We have so much to be proud of – an outstanding critical care unit which has ensured excellent care for the sickest patients during the pandemic, a first class maternity service, and enhanced care for some of the most vulnerable people such as elderly patients, those with dementia, and those nearing the end of life.

“There is clearly more to do to ensure we are providing the best of care in all areas, and as we embark on the next phase of our transformation, I feel now is the right time to hand over the reins of leadership.”

It's been a tough few years for the trust which was put into special measures by the CQC but had improved to a 'requires improvement' rating in 2018.

Under Mr Devine's leadership the hospital retained its rating when inspectors returned last winter but he admitted improvements needed to happen faster after concerns about slow progress were raised by the CQC.

Last summer, Mr Devine oversaw the launch of Medway's improvement plan which set out a raft of changes required to ensure the trust becomes 'good'.

However, repeated strains under the pressures of the second wave saw Medway hospital hit the headlines as one of the most under pressure trusts in the country.

Patients died after being mixed in hot and cold wards and ambulances were pictured queuing for hours at a time during the Christmas period.

"There is clearly more to do to ensure we are providing the best of care in all areas..."

Mr Devine started his career at Medway before moving on to Great Ormond Street Hospital. He says it was a lifelong ambition to lead the trust.

The search for a new chief executive has now started with trust bosses already getting the process under way.

Trust chairman Jo Palmer said: "James has done a huge amount during his time at Medway, and since he became chief executive he has worked hard to improve the culture at the Trust.

"He has invigorated the hospital in many areas, ensuring a compassionate and patient-centred approach which is the foundation of our improvement programme."

Anne Eden, South East Regional Director for NHS England and NHS Improvement, said: “I would like to thank James for his contribution at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and to the NHS’ response to Covid-19 over the past year, and to wish him all the best for the future."

“James has given the hospital a real sense of stability during challenging times. Although everyone recognises that more needs to be done a great deal of progress has been made under his stewardship. He will be much missed but I wish him well in his next role”.

Local Mps have expressed their appreciation for Mr Devine's work during the pandemic.

Tracey Crouch, Mp for Chatham and Aylesford said: "James has given the hospital a real sense of stability during challenging times.

"Although everyone recognises that more needs to be done a great deal of progress has been made under his stewardship.

"He will be much missed but I wish him well in his next role."

Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst was "disappointed" by the news but thanked Mr Devine for his hard work and wished him well in his new role.

She said: "James has been good for the hospital, he has worked really hard and I wish him the best in his new role.

"The hospital still has challenges but he has been a strong part of the improvement but there is still a long way to go."

Asked whether a turnover of chief executives in recent years was problematic, Ms Tolhurst replied that "stability" was key but she did not see the outgoing chief's departure as an issue.

James Devine talking to KMTV's Joe Coshan about the challenges the trust was facing in January

"I personally don't think that is a problem," she said, explaining it was "natural" for someone of Mr Devine's age and experience to want to go on and develop their career elsewhere within the NHS.

"The people who have worked on the frontline have literally seen the worst of Covid that could be possible over the last 12 months," she said.

Admin and executive teams were also not immune to these pressures, she added.

The MP previously hit out at the CQC for conducting an inspection of the hospital before Christmas at the height of the second wave, saying it did not truly reflect the situation at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Ms Tolhurst said it would now be a priority in her role as an MP to ensure a suitable successor is put in place.

"This is about making sure we get a strong leader at the top to take over from James," she said.

"It is about making sure that NHS South East and the CCG serve their communities and that the population of Medway is taken into full consideration."

Meanwhile, Medway Labour group health spokesman Teresa Murray has sounded a note of concern about the change in leadership.

She said: "I thank James for his work at the hospital, particularly over the last tough year of the Covid pandemic and wish him well in whatever his national role turns out to be.

"However, I regret more disruption and change in management for the hospital staff especially as the last CQC report graded the hospital as not being well led for a second time.

"A new post holder will inherit a complex set of improvement plans which are yet to make the desired impact so I will be doing all I can to prevent instability and continue to support hard pressed staff."

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