Breaking news: East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust boss to step down

Darren Grayson, who has been chief executive at the trust for five years, announced his plans today (July 15).

Councillors on East Sussex County Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Grayson’s leadership in May, following a CQC report which rated the trust ‘inadequate’.

Darren Grayson said: “Having been Chief Executive in East Sussex for five years and having led the organisation through some significant change to improve the quality of our services for patients I believe the time is now right to hand the baton to the next leader to continue this journey of improvement.

“We have made a good start for our patients but there is much work still to do and this needs both a fresh focus and a long-term commitment to continuity that, after 14 years already as a chief executive in the NHS, I can’t give at this stage in my career.

“Whilst I am looking forward to the next chapter, I am also sorry to be leaving a great organisation and many, many fine colleagues. Time and again, I have been humbled and inspired by their compassion and dedication to their work in caring for people in East Sussex.”

Stuart Welling, Chair of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Darren has successfully led an unprecedented level of change in our organisation that has made sure our services are safer and more sustainable for the future. He has done this with great energy, commitment and passion.

“We all greatly appreciate what Darren has achieved for our patients and wish him every success for the future.”

A CQC report from an inspection in March was expected to be published last week.

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