Less than two years after taking the reins at the trust which runs the three West Herts Hospitals, chief executive Samantha Jones is moving on.

She has been appointed to lead the major new NHS programme of work outlined in the NHS Five Year Forward View and will leave the West Herts Hospitals Trust - which takes in St Albans, Hemel Hempstead and Watford Hospitals - next Friday, January 16.

Succeeding her on an interim basis will be Jacqueline (Jac) Kelly, the former chief executive of Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Strust. She was awarded an MBE for services to healthcare in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

West Herts Hospitals Trust chair Mahdi Hasan, said: “Samantha has overseen many significant changes across our hospitals, in particular in improving the quality and safety of the care we provide to our patients.

“She always puts patients first and is popular with our staff, patients and local people. Her drive for openness and transparency are an example to us all.”