Oswestry hospital chief executive resigns
The chief executive of one of Shropshire's hospitals has resigned. Wendy Farrington Chadd offered her resignation as head of Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with immediate effect.
John Grinnell, the trust's director of finance, has taken up the post of acting chief executive officer while the hospital begins the recruitment of a permanent replacement.
Mrs Farrington Chadd was not at the trust's board meeting last week when no explanation was given for her absence.
Mrs Farrington Chadd has been chief executive of the Oswestry specialist hospital for the last eight years.
Under her stewardship the orthopaedic hospital gained foundation trust status and embarked on a multi-million pound expansion plan.
In June the hospital was investigated by the health regulator Monitor, which said it was concerned that too many patients were waiting longer than the 18-week national target for day-case or inpatient procedures. The trust said it had implemented a recovery plan.
Today Frank Collins, trust chairman, said: "Wendy has resigned from the trust and this resignation has been accepted with immediate effect.
"I would like to take this opportunity to recognise Wendy for the very significant contribution she has made to the trust since her arrival in March 2007. We wish her well for the future."
Appreciation
Mrs Farrington Chadd said: "I would like to place on record my appreciation for the support and hard work of the staff during my time at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
"I wish the hospital, its staff and patients all the very best for the future."
The trust has said it will not be issuing any further comment on this matter at this stage.
The specialist orthopaedic hospital has a worldwide reputation for innovation and research. It provides elective orthopaedic surgery and musculo-skeletal medical services, and has particular areas of expertise including spinal injuries, bone tumour and disorders affecting muscular development.
Mrs Farrington Chadd has more than 23 years' board-level experience in the National Health Service, mainly in the West Midlands, the NHS in Wales, and the North West. She joined the NHS in 1987 through the National Management Graduate Scheme.
