The interim chief executive of the Colchester hospital trust has said she has no plans to take on the job permanently.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Lucy Moore, interim chief executive at CHUFT.Dr Lucy Moore, interim chief executive at CHUFT. (Image: Archant)

Dr Lucy Moore began work on May 27 last year after the previous permanent head of Colchester Hospital University Foundation NHS Trust (CHUFT), Dr Gordon Coutts, stepped down in December 2013.

She has brought some stability to the role after the trust saw two chief executives in just five months.

Deputy chief executive Sue Barnett temporarily took over the reins after Dr Coutts’ departure until March last year, when Kim Hodgson was appointed as interim boss.

However Ms Hodgson only stayed in the post for two-and-a-half months, during which time she was paid £95,000.

The search for a permanent chief executive was delayed further after the previous trust chairman Dr Sally Irvine also announced she would be stepping down.

A decision was made to appoint another interim chief executive, Dr Moore, until a permanent chairman could be found, who could then ensure a good working relationship with any potential permanent chief executive.

New trust chairman Alan Rose began in the post on April 1 this year, and announced in his first report to the trust board this week that he aimed to have a full complement of permanent posts in place at executive level by the end of 2015.

Asked if she was considering applying for the role Dr Moore said: “I have always been clear I am an interim, and I travel a long way.

“I will be here until a new chief executive is appointed, and I hope that gives some assurance to the trust and our community.”

Dr Moore was chief executive of Whipps Cross University Hospital Trust in East London bBetween November 2004 and September 2012, and then worked with a range of acute trusts before joining the team at Colchester.

CHUFT is dealing with the wake of the cancer waiting times investigation, the Keogh review into mortality rates and being rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), as well as facing a large financial deficit.

The CQC has told the hospital it will be returning for a full three-day inspection on September 15 2015, which could be the launch pad for the trust to come out of special measures.

Dr Moore has set the trust a target to leave special measures in the second half of this financial year.