The Chief Executive of the local hospital trust has decided to step down from his role.
Matthew Hopkins has been in charge of the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust for the past four years.
Under his stewardship the organisation has moved out of quality special measures.
Matthew Hopkins believes someone else needs to take the trust forward as he seeks new opportunities.
Hopkins said: “It has been a real privilege serving the residents of Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge and improving the care they’ve received at Queen’s and King George hospitals.
“I’ve worked alongside some of the best clinicians, nurses, support staff and patients to improve quality, performance and the way we work. I now regard many of them as my friends.
“I am truly proud that we’ve faced head on, through perseverance and sheer tenacity, some difficult issues and we’ve made huge progress as we strive to ensure that local people get the safe, high quality care they deserve.
“I am also pleased that our 6,500-strong workforce now feel proud and confident and are constantly striving to improve care for the benefit of our patients.
“Our Trust and the local health economy have faced financial challenges for more than a decade and when I returned to work last year after a kidney transplant further serious issues emerged.
“I have agreed with our Chair, Joe Fielder, that it is now time for someone else to take the helm and move us out of financial special measures and for me to seek new opportunities.
“I would like to thank all our partners, politicians and the media for getting behind their local hospitals and for supporting me personally as we have implemented changes. I urge them all to continue to work together to support our Trust on the next stage of its journey.”
Chris Bown, a senior NHS leader, has been appointed as the Trust’s interim Chief Executive.
Tags: Havering, Redbridge, Barking, NHS, Health
