Chairman of scandal-hit Southern Health trust resigns ahead of inspection report

The chairman of a scandal-hit health trust has resigned from his post ahead of a Care Quality Commission report into its failings.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has been criticised for not properly investigating deaths and was issued a warning following an inspection in January.

Mike Petter said he was stepping down from his post "with great sadness" but it was time to "allow new Board leadership to take forward improvements." at was a "very difficult decision".

A CQC report into the trust's failings is due out tomorrow.