Leeds Teaching Hospitals CEO to step down amid maternity scandal at trust
Professor Phil Wood is set to stand down and retire at the end of this year
The Chief Executive of a West Yorkshire hospital trust is to stand down after less than three years, amid a major scandal over the quality of maternity services.
Professor Phil Wood is to retire at the end of this year, having served as Leeds Teaching Hospitals' CEO since 2023 and Chief Medical Officer from 2020.
It follows a 30 year career in the NHS.
He says it is the 'right time' to hand over the reigns, but it comes just weeks after a damning report into the quality of maternity services in Leeds.
The Care Quality Commission downgraded services at both Leeds General Infirmary and St James' from 'good' to 'inadequate' overall after finding serious issues during an unannounced inspection late last year.
Among the findings were that patients were not always being kept safe and leadership at the trust was 'below acceptable standards.'
Staff also felt they couldn't raise concerns due to a 'blame culture' at the trust.
At the time, Professor Phil Wood fronted the public response to the report, saying in a statement: “We deliver more than 8,500 babies each year and the vast majority of those are safe and positive experiences for our families."
"But we recognise that’s not the experience of all families. The loss of any baby is a tragedy, and I am extremely sorry to the families who have lost their babies when receiving care in our hospitals."
In a statement issued by the trust today, Professor Wood said: “It has been a huge privilege to work in the NHS, starting my career as a doctor over 30 years ago.
“It feels this is the right moment to make a change and allow a new Chief Executive the opportunity to steer this wonderful organisation, as the NHS embarks on delivering the new 10 Year Plan and creating Provider Collaboratives.
“One thing has remained consistent throughout my time in the NHS – the unwavering commitment from staff to do their very best for our patients.
“I have been lucky enough to see first-hand the care, compassion and dedication my colleagues at Leeds Teaching Hospitals bring to their work every single day.
"It has been an honour to lead them and to work alongside them and I am confident that the Trust has a bright future.”
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust says recruitment for Prof. Wood's replacement will begin 'shortly'.