Chief exec of Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust resigns

Pontefract Hospital's A&E department has been closed overnight since 1 November

The chief executive of a troubled hospital trust has stepped down from the role.

Julia Squire is to leave the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust for a position at the NHS Confederation.

The trust had faced mounting criticism over the closure of its A&E department at Pontefract hospital.

Stephen Eames, the current chief executive at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, will take over in a few weeks.

Recently a proposal to bring in Army medics at Pontefract to cover a shortage of doctors was ruled out by the trust following criticism of the plan from patients and MPs.

'Committed leader'

The A&E unit in Pontefract has been closed overnight since 1 November.

The trust said there was "no question" of military doctors in the department.

Those critical of the proposal included Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary and Labour MP for Pontefract and Castleford.

Announcing Ms Squire's departure the trust said she had been "a committed leader who had delivered improvements and overseen the opening of two new hospitals."

Mr Eames issued a statement saying he had started his career with the NHS in Dewsbury more than 30 years ago and was looking forward to working with the staff.

He said: "I Look forward to working with all the staff and partner organisations in Mid Yorkshire to provide the best care and services for patients and leading the trust in the challenges that lie ahead."

Hemsworth Labour MP Jon Trickett said he thought the move "was inevitable".