Anne Main has said she is ‘absolutely shocked’ at the news that the West Herts Hospital Trust (WHHT) Chief Executive, Sam Jones, is leaving her post.

The news broke this morning that Ms Jones is vacating her position and will be replaced on an interim basis by Jacqueline Kelly, former Chief Executive of Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

The St Albans MP said, ‘I am absolutely shocked that Ms Jones is leaving at such a crucial time for the Trust. WHHT is undergoing a consultation for fundamental change that will reshape our local health service; I am disappointed that she has chosen to walk away at such a critical moment.

‘The consultation must be extended in order to allow Ms Kelly time to get her feet under the table. I don’t dispute that difficult decisions will have to be made during this process, however, I can’t think anyone would have the time to get up to speed at such short notice.

‘Well into Ms Jones’s tenure, failings were uncovered from her predecessor, Jan Filochowski. We need to give her replacement ample time to “peel back the onion” and fully examine the challenges facing the Trust.

‘I am angry that my constituents who met the boss last month, and sought Ms Jones’s assurances on the future of their local health service, may feel they have been let down by the instability this has created.

‘I intend to meet with Ms Kelly as soon as possible in order that we can have a proper and frank discussion about the future of health services in St Albans.’