Professor Lesley Dwyer, group chief executive, Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG), said Arrowsmith had made the decision following a ‘challenging period' for the trust.

The trust is currently in Segment 4 oversight and stands second bottom of the acute trust league table.

Jo Segasby, deputy group chief executive and chief delivery officer of NWUHG, has been asked to provide interim leadership at The QEH.

Prof Dwyer added: ‘A full and orderly handover is underway, with clear arrangements in place to maintain momentum. Importantly, there is no change to clinical services, and patient safety and quality of care remain our absolute priorities.

‘My focus is on supporting our staff and ensuring that patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care while we continue the recovery work already under way at The QEH.'