Marking the last working day of Michael Wilson CBE as Chief Executive of the Hospital Trust centred on East Surrey Hospital, local MP Crispin Blunt issued the following statement:

“The Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust had been a profoundly troubled institution before Michael Wilson’s appointment in 2010. The financial pressures and growing service demand on East Surrey Hospital and how it was institutionally accountable had proved too much for a succession of talented predecessor Chief Executives.

Michael’s appointment and his terrific energy and leadership have been the most important factor in leading this institution to the outstanding status it enjoys today. The hospital’s reputation with the public has been turned around, deservedly so, on the basis of his work. His CBE is a proper mark of the debt all of us who use the service at East Surrey Hospital, and the Trust’s other services, owe him. I would like to record my profound thanks for the way he has engaged me in his work to gather support for the hospital, but most of all the thanks come from my constituents whose lives have been materially improved by his leadership of the most important service in this constituency.

“Thank you Michael from the bottom of my heart and may you enjoy the fabulous future you deserve following your work here.”