Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Tracey is to stand down from her role having served seven years leading the Trust and its predecessors Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Dame Shan Morgan, Chair, told staff earlier today: "It is with great sadness that I confirm that Suzanne Tracey has decided to step away from being our Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect due to personal reasons.

"Suzanne’s mum has recently been diagnosed with dementia, and while she has worked incredibly hard to balance the huge demands of running the Trust and her family commitments, after much soul searching she has taken the difficult decision to step aside from her role of Chief Executive Officer to be able to devote her time for caring for her mother. I know this is a decision she hasn’t reached lightly and is one the whole Board wholly respects. Despite stepping down, I am grateful that she has agreed to continue to support me in the months ahead on some strategic pieces of work, albeit not returning to work at the Royal Devon.

"I want to thank her for her fantastic work and leadership over the past seven years. Under her leadership we have achieved so much in difficult circumstances – not least getting through COVID, completing a complex but successful merger, securing the digital investment to transform our care model, developing our partnership links with the Universities and research partners and her heartfelt and personal commitment to inclusion and patient experience."

In a message to the 13,000 employees of the Royal Devon, Suzanne Tracey confirms: "It has been an absolute honour to work for such a fantastic organisation, with so many thousands of amazing people doing such a vital job for our local communities. Over the years I have been continually blown away by the dedication and compassion which I saw every day from you all. I am so proud of what we have achieved together and I will miss everyone enormously.

"The importance of what we all do, day-in, day-out, really hits home when a loved one needs care, as it has with me and my family in supporting my mum in her battle with dementia. I want to be able to devote as much time as I can to being with her during this difficult time, but realise that I cannot do that and give the same energy and focus to leading the Royal Devon which I hope has been the hallmark of my tenure as Chief Executive. To this end I have decided to step aside."

Dame Shan continues: "I am hugely grateful to the exceptional executive and non-executive director team who have ensured the Trust, patients and staff benefit from continued talented and resilient leadership."

Chris Tidman continues in his capacity as Deputy Chief Executive Officer whilst we progress a recruitment process.