Dame Shan Morgan to step down as NHS trust chair

Dame Shan Morgan will step down as chair of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH) in March next year. Her departure comes as the trust faces scrutiny following a maternity crisis at North Devon District Hospital, which led to the temporary suspension of birthing services.

Morgan, a former diplomat and civil servant, has led the trust since its creation through a merger of the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust. She stated that the timing is appropriate to begin a handover to a successor capable of addressing the challenges outlined in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan.

Trust chief executive Sam Higginson expressed gratitude for Morgan’s leadership, noting that she will remain in her role until March to assist in developing a new strategic plan for health and care services in north and east Devon.