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Colchester Hospital: Chief executive Gordon Coutts quits Colchester Hospital: Chief executive Gordon Coutts quits
(35 minutes later)
The chief executive of a hospital under police investigation over alleged manipulation of cancer waiting times has resigned.The chief executive of a hospital under police investigation over alleged manipulation of cancer waiting times has resigned.
Dr Gordon Coutts, who is currently on sick leave, said he would not return to Colchester Hospital University NHS Trust. Dr Gordon Coutts, who has been on sick leave, said he would not return to Colchester Hospital University NHS Trust.
He had been due at a meeting of the trust board last week but did not attend. Dr Coutts, who was paid £165,000 per year, was due at a meeting of the trust board last week but did not attend.
The trust is facing three separate inquiries into the allegations.The trust is facing three separate inquiries into the allegations.
Last month, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said hospital staff were "pressured or bullied" to change patient records to meet government targets.Last month, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said hospital staff were "pressured or bullied" to change patient records to meet government targets.
Dr Coutts, who is leaving the hospital trust by "mutual consent", said: "I realise that this is an extremely difficult time for the trust as it seeks to understand where it has failed patients in the past and seeks to rebuild the confidence of patients, the public and stakeholders in the many excellent services it offers. Allegations of inaccuracies in the cancer data prompted a review by Essex Police, Monitor, the CQC and NHS England, and saw the hospital placed into special measures.
'I am sorry'
Dr Coutts, who is leaving the hospital trust by "mutual consent", said: "I realise that this is an extremely difficult time for the trust as it seeks to understand where it has failed patients in the past and seeks to rebuild confidence.
"Underpinning this will be the need to lead and support staff to deliver high quality and safe services."Underpinning this will be the need to lead and support staff to deliver high quality and safe services.
"I regret that there have been problems in the trust's cancer services."I regret that there have been problems in the trust's cancer services.
"I am sorry that some of our patients were let down and that what has happened may have damaged local people's confidence in their hospitals.""I am sorry that some of our patients were let down and that what has happened may have damaged local people's confidence in their hospitals."
The trust said Dr Coutts will remain available to provide information as and when required to by investigators.
Sue Barnett, the deputy chief executive, will take over while transition arrangements are made and an interim CEO is identified.
The hospital said it would be recruiting a new chief executive in the new year.