Fareham MP says Southern Health needs to restore public confidence

The NHS foundation trust has been criticised recently after former chief executive Katrina Percy stepped down from the role but stayed on in an advisory position.

Last week, it was announced that she would leave the trust – with a £190,000 pay-off.

Fareham MP Suella Fernandes said: ‘The failures in Southern Health have had a devastating impact on the families of those who have tragically lost their lives.

‘Katrina Percy’s position as chief executive of the trust became untenable as public confidence was knocked and I can understand why people would be concerned that she was retained as an advisor following the problems in the trust under her governance.

‘Many of my constituents in Fareham, and across the south, have contacted me and expressed their concern.

‘What is really important now is that public confidence is restored and I hope Southern Health can move forward with new leadership and having made the vital changes so it does not fail its most vulnerable patients again.’

As previously reported, Ms Percy was in charge of Southern Health during a time in which it was found to have not properly investigated the deaths of hundreds of patients in its care.

Despite criticism, Ms Percy stayed in her post for several months. She then stepped down, but it emerged that she had been given a newly-created job within the organisation. Originally this was going to be for a year but the trust revealed last week she had resigned.