THE chief executive of a controversial Hampshire health trust has today dramatically stepped down.

Katrina Percy has announced that she is quitting her post at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

It comes after the Calmore-based trust faced a series of scandals following the release of a damning watchdog report condemning “serious failings” in the failure to investigate the deaths of hundreds of people with mental health problems and disabilities in its care.

But she will continue working in the organisation providing strategic advice to GPs.

Director of nursing Julie Dawes, who joined the trust in May, replaces her as interim chief executive until a permanent replacement is recruited.

Ms Dawes will be supported by Dr Matthew Patrick who is chief executive of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust - a former nursing director of Oxford Health. 

Southern Health interim chairman Tim Smart had initially backed Ms Percy's leadership and in a review released in June, when he suggested she was bestplaced to continue heading the organisation.

But in a statement released today, Ms Percy said: "Since then I have reflected on the effect the ongoing personal media attention has had on staff and patients and have come to the conclusion that this has made my role untenable.

"I have therefore come to the difficult decision to step down from my role as chief executive after nine years.

"I am delighted to be taking on an alternative role, providing strategic advice to local GP leaders as they work with others to transform the way in which health services are delivered across Hampshire, and I feel that now is the right time to take on that new challenge.

"I know, and understand, that many will say I should have stepped down sooner given the very public concerns which have been raised in the past months.

"I stayed on as I firmly believed it was my responsibility to oversee the necessary improvements and to continue the ground breaking work we have begun with GPs to transform care for our patients.”

She said she is "humbled" by the "overwhelming" support from staff and colleagues.

Mr Smart said: "Katrina has come to the conclusion that, due to the significant focus on her as an individual, it is in the best interests of the trust, patients and staff for her to step down.

"I have agreed, on the basis that her position has become untenable because of ongoing personal media attention. Katrina is taking on an alternative role working with local GP leaders providing strategic advice on the transformation of local health services.

"There is vital work that needs to be done for which she is ideally suited.

“Katrina has shown great resilience, devoting herself to the patients and staff of Southern Health since it was created in 2011.

"In addition, the recently completed independent board capability review found Katrina to be well suited to lead the Trust forward.

“Katrina has ensured that Southern Health is now working more closely with other health and care organisations in the region to provide more joined up care, so more people receive support at the right time and place.

"Katrina leaves the trust financially sound and well-positioned to create a new form of multispecialty community provider in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I wish Katrina every success in her future endeavours, and thank her for her years of service."

He added: "It is important that patients and our staff have confidence that Southern Health’s future is in safe hands.”

Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery said: “I think Ms Percy has made the right decision to stand down.

“The recent review by the chairman of Southern Health cleared her of any fault, but it was clear the families of those who have been affected by poor care from the trust were very unhappy she was staying, and I hope this now allows them to look forward to a resolution of their grievances.

“I also hope it will add further impetus to Southern in its endeavours to get itself back on a proper footing.

“I now urge the quickest possible recruitment process so that someone can be appointed to take the trust forward and to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.”