The chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust has announced he is leaving the organisation after four years “to seek new opportunities”.

Matthew Hopkins joined BHRUT – the trust which runs both Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes – in April 2014, and is widely credited as the architect of the trust’s emergence from healthcare special measures last year.

Chris Bown, an experienced senior NHS leader, has been appointed as the trust’s interim chief executive.

Commenting on his decision to leave, Matthew Hopkins said: “It has been a real privilege serving the residents of Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge and improving the care they’ve received at Queen’s and King George hospitals.

“I’ve worked alongside some of the best clinicians, nurses, support staff and patients to improve quality, performance and the way we work. I now regard many of them as my friends.

“I am truly proud that we’ve faced head on – through perseverance and sheer tenacity – some difficult issues and we’ve made huge progress as we strive to ensure that local people get the safe, high quality care they deserve.”

Mr Hopkins leaves the trust rated as Good in three out of four areas by the Care Quality Commission, but due to its large deficit it is still in financial special measures.

He continued: “Our trust and the local health economy have faced financial challenges for more than a decade and when I returned to work last year after a kidney transplant further serious issues emerged.

“I have agreed with our Chair, Joe Fielder, that it is now time for someone else to take the helm and move us out of financial special measures and for me to seek new opportunities.

“I would like to thank all our partners, politicians and the media for getting behind their local hospitals and for supporting me personally as we have implemented changes.

“I urge them all to continue to work together to support our trust on the next stage of its journey.”

Praising Matthew for the work he has done, our Chair Joe Fielder commented: “I would like to pay tribute to Matthew who has dedicated his career to public service.

“The improvements in quality we are proud of are due in no small measure to Matthew’s stewardship.

“He is a visible, approachable leader who has fostered a culture where people are actively encouraged to speak up.

“These guiding principles will continue to be an immoveable focus for us as we devote our energies in the coming months to securing a more robust financial position for our trust.”