THE chief executive of Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) has resigned - less than nine months after the PCT chairman stepped down in the face of a vote of no confidence in her.

Chief executive Dr Sue Ross is leaving after more than two years with the PCT, and only weeks after the trust was awarded three star status.

In a statement Dr Ross said: "My time with the trust, which has seen it achieve three star status, has been challenging and rewarding, but I feel the time is now right for me to use my skills elsewhere and have decided to move on."

The PCT has not given a reason why Dr Ross is leaving or whether she is taking up an alternative job.

Despite its achievements the PCT has come under fire from local GPs who have criticised the management of the trust.

Earlier this year Dr John Givens, secretary of the North Yorkshire Local Medical Committee (LMC), which represents all GPs in York and North Yorkshire, described the PCT as "a communication disaster".

The crisis culminated in the resignation of the PCT chairman, York councillor Janet Looker, in February, only days before the result of a vote of no confidence in her was to be released.

GPs in Selby and York were outraged by remarks made by her which suggested that doctors took the "easy route" by admitting patients to York Hospital without considering its ongoing bed blocking problem.

Coun Looker later apologised for any distress, but said that her resignation was the right decision for the organisation.

The PCT's present chairman, Wendy Bundy, said today: "Dr Ross has worked with the board to set up the trust, and during her time as chief executive, Selby and York PCT has achieved many successes, including top rating in the stars assessment.

"I am confident she leaves the trust in good shape and that we can build on the achievements to date.

"I and other colleagues in the trust wish her every success in the future."

The process for recruiting and appointing a new chief executive will begin immediately.

In the meantime Jeremy Clough, director of finance and performance, has been appointed acting chief executive.

Dr Givens, said today that the latest resignation represented a fresh start and he was hopeful that relationships between the PCT and GPs would continue to improve.

He said: "We think that the new chair has a very positive attitude towards relationships with GPs and we are confident that she will improve relationships between the PCT and GPs very considerably.

"Things are looking much more positive. We are keen that this new start will give us the opportunity to improve relationships."

Updated: 13:02 Thursday, October 09, 2003