Ex-trust chief in new job role

Kim Hodgson stepped down from her role at the trust which runs both The Conquest Hospital and its sister site in Eastbourne, the DGH, back in 2010 after five years in the role.

Her departure caused controversy when it emerged she trousered a £175,000 golden goodbye from the £155,000 a year position.

The deal was roundly criticised by health campaigners and the then Hastings MP Michael Foster, who called the payment “outrageous”.

Ms Hodgson though moved on to a new role elsewhere in the NHS and earlier this week was confirmed as the interim chief executive of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust.

She replaces the outgoing Dr Gordon Coutts who resigned from his post last month after a period of sick leave amid accusations staff had been bullied into altering the records of some cancer patients.

The trust’s deputy chief executive Sue Barnett, who took control following Dr Coutts’ departure, also announced her resignation this week.

Ms Hodgson takes control on Monday.