BOSSES at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust have defended the appointment of a new temporary chief executive, despite controversy over her previous role.
Karen Jackson was appointed the new interim chief executive of the trust last week with hospital chiefs warmly welcoming the move – despite Ms Jackson previously leading another hospital in Scunthorpe into an ‘inadequate’ rating by the health watchdog.
Ms Jackson has most recently been working with NHS Improvement to lead work on improving urgent care service delivery across England.
Before this she was chief executive at North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust at Scunthorpe Hospital which was handed the damning review by the CQC in 2016.
Residents have contacted the OTS News and taken to social media questioning her appointment.
One ‘concerned resident’, who did not want to be named, said in a latter to the Champion: “The biggest concern at the moment for Southport Hospital is the appointment of Karen Jackson who led North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust to become inadequate.”
The reader claimed: “She (Jackson) also had adverse press for her 20% pay rise in 2013.
“The last thing we need is for Karen Jackson to lead our trust in the same failing manner that she has done before.
“The trust now has a terrible reputation amongst its workforce. Many good staff have left or are considering leaving which could create more staff shortages which in the long term could result in more services being lost.
“The trust seem to have an endless pit of money paying interns to run our trust into the ground.”
Commenting on the appointment of Karen Jackson as interim chief executive, trust chair, Richard Fraser, said: “I am delighted to welcome Karen to Southport and Ormskirk.
“She is a pragmatic and forward-thinking leader who brings a wealth of experience from her six years as a chief executive in Lincolnshire, as well as valuable insight from her work at NHS Improvement.
“The trust has had a number of challenges over the past couple of years and still has a number to face. However, I know that Karen, working closely with our staff and stakeholders, will help craft a vision for our hospitals which puts the care, needs and welfare of our community at its heart
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