Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has announced today that Dr Jon Andrewes has decided to stand down as Chairman at the end of July due to personal ill health and forthcoming treatment.

Jon chaired his last Trust Board meeting today and said: ’I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Trust and hope that I have played some part in establishing a stable Trust Board and recruiting an outstanding new Chief Executive in Kathy Byrne.

’Obviously I would not have wished to leave in such circumstances but my deputy Mairi Mclean will stand in as Chairman from August 1 and I know she will be excellent in the role while a new permanent Chairman is appointed.’

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust will now work with NHS Improvement to appoint a new permanent Chairman as soon as possible.