FORMER Warwickshire MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews has been appointed interim chairman of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust which runs mental health services including the Brooklands Unit in Solihull
The vice chairman was promoted following the recent departure of Martin Gower and will remain in post until a permanent appointment is made.
It comes just months after a series of special reports in The Observer saw the trust accused of facing meltdown with morale said to be at an all time low amid allegations of management trying to save money by downgrading skilled jobs.
The Care Quality Commission later released a formal inspection report which described services as inconsistent with a series of recommendations and a list of 12 essential standards and quality and safety that were not being met.
Mr Bushill-Matthews served as a Conservative Member of the European Parliament between 1999 and 2009, and has more than 20 years experience at board level in the food manufacturing business.
He said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to serve the trust in this new role at such an important time for the organisation and the NHS as a whole.”
Board members Mike Williams and Crishni Waring will also take on new roles with
Mr Williams promoted to vice chairman while Ms Waring becomes senior independent director with immediate effect after non-executive member Fiona White announced she would leave the trust later this year.
