THE man in charge of running the beleaguered Colchester Hospitals Trust has announced he is resigning.

Dr Gordon Coutts, chief executive of Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, will not return to his post following his current period of sick leave, it was announced today.

The trust was last month placed in Special Measures after a Care Quality Commission investigation found evidence staff had been bullied into falsifying cancer patient records to hit targets.

Dr Coutts 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.

"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.

"As chief executive I always took my responsibility for what happened in the organisation very seriously.

"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.”

He added: “I am extremely proud to leave behind a highly competent and dedicated leadership team that I am confident will take forward the improvements currently underway in the Trust.

"I should also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the many excellent staff who work so hard for patients and who I know will ensure that any lessons learned from the recent events will reinforce the Trust’s commitment to deliver the very best and consistent patient experience.”

Dr Sally Irvine, Chair of the Trust, passed on her thanks to Dr Coutts on behalf of the Trust and its staff for his work and commitment during his time in the post.

Deputy chief executive officer Sue Barnett will take charge until an interim officer is identified.

The trust confirmed Dr Coutts will be available to provide evidence to an independent internal investigation into the cancer scandal.