THE boss of a trust which provides community health services in Warrington is stepping down.

Colin Scales, chief executive of Bridgewater Community Healthcare, which is one of the smallest trusts in the NHS, is leaving to take on the role of deputy chief executive officer of Greater Manchester’s Integrated Care Board.

He has been served the trust for 12 years, nine of which as chief executive.

The departure announcement comes following the news that plans to merge the trust and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) are under way.

The merger plans were originally abandoned, but both trusts then decided there were opportunities for further integration.

They said this would allow them to improve care for patients, as well as making the best use of resources.

READ MORE > Plans to merge two Warrington health trusts are under way

Following Mr Scales’ departure news, Bridgewater’s chair Karen Bliss has thanked the chief executive for his ‘unstinting commitment’.

In a statement, Ms Bliss said: “On behalf of the Trust Board I would like to say thank you to Colin for his unstinting commitment to Bridgewater Community Healthcare for the past twelve years, nine of which as Chief Executive.

“Colin’s compassion towards community health and the delivery of care closer to home has been indispensable. He will be greatly missed by all at Bridgewater, but we wish him every success when he begins his new role later this year in Greater Manchester.”

Ms Bliss has revealed that the trust will appoint an interim CEO in the coming weeks.

She added: “We will soon appoint an interim CEO in the coming weeks. This individual, who I am unable to name at this stage as we must go through the official channels first, will fully support our planned integration programme by working alongside Nik Khashu, the incoming interim CEO at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.”

Earlier this year, the current chief executive of WHH Professor Simon Constable revealed he will be leaving the trust.

But due to the merger plans, his replacement will only be appointed on an interim basis.