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The chief executive of Arrowe Park hospital has quit his job with immediate effect for “personal reasons.”

David Allison had been chief executive of the Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2012 but said he wanted to move closer to his family in the North East.

Michael Carr, chair of the trust, said: “Over the past six years since his appointment as chief executive, David Allison has led the organisation through some very challenging times for what remains a pressured health service locally, regionally and nationally.

“For what are personal reasons, David has decided to return to the North East of England to pursue a career closer to his family, and will for a period of time be working with our regulator, NHS Improvement.

“Consequently, the board has put in place interim arrangements whilst a permanent appointment is secured, and I am pleased to announce that Mr David Jago, currently our director of finance has taken up the role of acting chief executive and designated officer.”

David Allison has been chief executive of the Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust since 2012.

The role saw him leading several Wirral health organisations across the trust, including not only Arrowe Park but also the Clatterbridge Hospital and Wirral Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Mr Allison previously worked as chief operating officer of an NHS trust running several hospitals in Newcastle.

It comes on the same day that Southport and Ormskirk hospitals also announced a new chief executive, although the timing is understood to be a coincidence.

Silas Nicholls, currently deputy chief executive of several Manchester hospitals, will take over the reigns at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust early next year.

The trust has only had leaders on an interim basis since 2015, with a probe into claims by whistleblowers that saw former chief executive Jonathan Parry sacked for misconduct.

Richard Fraser, chair of the Southport and Ormskirk trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Silas to the Trust. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong track record of achievement.”

“I also want to thank Karen Jackson for her huge contribution this year. With the support of our staff and stakeholders, she has helped lay substantial foundations on which to build local hospital services for the future.”

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