Liverpool hospitals NHS trust boss steps down after A&E warning

Steve Warburton was chief executive at Aintree Hospital for four years before its merger

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust's chief executive is stepping down a week after the health watchdog raised concerns over patient safety.

The Care Quality Commission criticised long waits in emergency departments at the trust's Aintree and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Steve Warburton led Aintree Hospital for four years before its merger with Royal Liverpool in 2019.

The trust said Sir David Dalton would take over as the interim leader.

An internal email from bosses at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, seen by BBC North West Tonight, revealed a snap inspection in July which looked at the emergency departments and surgical wards and theatres found a problem with the flow of patients.

The trust said in response its absolute priority was patient safety.

Mr Warburton said it has been the "greatest honour and privilege of my professional career" to work for the trust.

"After considerable thought and personal reflection, acknowledging there is never an ideal time for these decisions, now feels like the right point for this change to happen for me personally and for the trust," he said.

"Therefore, the time has now come for me to pursue a different challenge within the NHS, including finding a better balance between my work commitments and my family life."