Prof Wood previously announced his intention to retire at the end of the year.

Antony Kildare, chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: ‘Professor Phil Wood has been planning to retire at the end of the year after 30 years' service in the NHS. We also have members of the executive team who will be leaving in the next few weeks to take on new roles elsewhere. In light of this, and the ongoing challenges we face as a trust and nationally across the NHS, we have agreed that Phil will step down from his role so we can appoint an interim chief executive to provider longer term stability for the executive team and the wider organisation.'

Chief executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, Brendan Brown, is taking over from Prof Brown from today in an interim capacity while the trust seeks a permanent appointment.

The trust is one of 14 trusts under focus in the Government's national maternity investigation.

Kildare added: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil for his dedication and commitment during his time here in Leeds. Phil has led the response to the Covid pandemic for the trust and the roll out of the vaccination programme across West Yorkshire, he has been instrumental in developing the plans for our new hospital and Innovation Village at Leeds General Infirmary and has spearheaded our work to develop the Leeds Improvement Method and our 7 Commitments, which has instilled a culture of continuous improvement in everything that we do.

‘His impact and dedication has also been felt even more widely across the health and care system particularly through his passion for using research and innovation as a way of reducing health inequalities.'