Chief leaves cash hit NHS trust

Annette Sergeant is leaving to pursue new career opportunities

An NHS trust facing a £17m cash crisis has announced the departure of its former chief executive.

Annette Sergeant is to leave East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust to pursue new career opportunities, it said.

The trust's hospitals, Eastbourne District General and Conquest Hospital, St Leonards, have been hit by bed blocking and a recruitment freeze.

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson has called for details of Ms Sergeant's severance package to be made public immediately.

'Difficult merger'

The trust announced last week that a new chief executive had been appointed to take over from Ms Sergeant who has been absent for some time for personal reasons.

Kim Hodgson, currently deputy chief executive of East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, is to take up the job on 10 October.

Conservative Mr Waterson claimed the job had not been advertised in accordance with the normal rules.

Kim Hodgson is to take up her new job in East Sussex next month

After the announcement of Ms Sergeant's departure, he said: "Now that the terms have been agreed, there is no good reason to withhold the details of any severance package.

"These should appear in the Trust accounts in due course, but I believe my constituents have a right to know the details now.

"I assume any package is likely to be substantial and will come out of funds that could have been devoted to patient care."

Ms Sergeant joined East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust after its formation from two merged trusts in 2002.

Chairman John Lewis said: "Managing a large and complex organisation with two hospitals 20 miles apart has many challenges.

"Annette has led the organisation through a difficult merger and we have been fortunate to have had such an experienced chief executive over that time.

"Annette has shown energy and huge dedication. I would like to thank her for her contribution and wish her well in the future."

The trust said last week that any severance package would be published in its accounts for 2005/6.

"The nature of the agreement between the trust and Annette Sergeant means we cannot discuss such matters," it said on Tuesday.