THE new chief executive at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust started work today.

Antony Sumara, pictured, was the man brought into turn around Mid Staffordshire Health Trust after the death rates scandal. Mr Sumara starts work in Bolton three months after the position became vacant when former chief executive Lesley Doherty took early retirement.

The Trust held interviews for the position in January, but was unable to find anybody suitable and appointed Dr Jackie Bene, the medical director, as acting chief executive.

In February, Dr Bene “stepped aside” to allow an investigation into coding “discrepancies”. She has been re-instated this week.

Mr Sumara is seen as an expert in troubleshooting within the NHS and it is hoped he can turn Bolton around.

His appointment is the latest change in the board of directors, which has been criticised by health watchdog Monitor for poor governance.

Dee Sissons, director of patient safety and experience and chief nurse, is leaving the Trust to take up the post of director of nursing for Marie Curie Cancer Care, leaving a vacancy on the board.

Turnaround director Terry Watson, who was appointed in September, is departing, and has been replaced by Steve Davies.

The board has seen major changes since Monitor intervened in August and appointed David Wakefield as the interim chairman to replace Cllr Cliff Morris, the leader of Bolton Council.

In September, the director of finance Gary Raphael left his post at the trust by “mutual agreement”. He was temporarily replaced by two interims, the position is now being filled by Simon Worthington.

There have been three chief operations officers since August and the post of director of public assurance, which was held by Beverley Andrew until her early retirement in January, no longer exists.

Mr Wakefield said Dr Bene would be working on strengthening governance on the board.

He added: “Antony Sumara is a highly experienced senior manager. He has a national profile comprising varied and extensive experience of leading large and complex NHS organisations.

“He is an expert in change management support and has worked with several NHS organisations, particularly in the Midlands and London.

“I’m very pleased Antony has agreed to give interim support to the Trust. He has an impressive reputation.

“He is from outside the Trust and the region and will bring a fresh approach, focused on the future. He will provide leadership, direction and confidence for the completion of the turnaround.”

The instability on the board has been criticised by Cllr Andy Morgan, who sits on the Health, Overview and Scrutiny committee.

He said the chief executive’s first job needed to be a review of the board structure and governance, and called for permanent directors to take the place of interims.