Devon hospital trust boss Ann James to step down

Ann James has announced her resignation from the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Ann James, the chief executive of Devon's hospitals, has announced her resignation.

After heading the University Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (UHP) for 12 years, Ms James said it was "never going to be easy or feel like the right time" to step down.

The announcement was made a day after a critical incident was declared at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

She will step down as chief executive on 31 March.

Ms James has worked for the NHS for 35 years and said it had been a "heartfelt honour" to do so.

She said: "The time I spent at UHP will undoubtedly be the years I will treasure and remember the most."

The chair of the trust, James Brent, praised Ms James' "collaborative and personal approach".

He said: "Under Ann's leadership UHP has achieved so much - often in difficult circumstances."

On Wednesday the emergency department at Derriford Hospital declared a critical incident, the second this year.

Derriford Hospital declared a critical incident on 22 January and it lasted for eight days.

Critical incidents are declared when hospitals are under extreme pressure and are unable to function as usual.

The recruitment process to appoint an interim and then a permanent successor would begin shortly, the trust said.