The boss of a beleaguered Kent health trust with one of the worst A&E waiting times in England has stepped down.

East Kent Hospitals’ chief executive Matthew Kershaw – who only took up the role two years ago – has switched to a post with a health charity in London.

The troubled trust, which looks after hospitals in Canterbury, Thanet, Ashford, Dover and Folkestone, was partially lifted out of special measures earlier this year, but has been forced to draft in extra emergency doctors as its waiting times remain among the worst in the country.

Mr Kershaw earned the nickname ‘The Axeman’ at his previous position due to controversial cuts made.

He said: “I was appointed chief executive at the trust in 2015 and since then we have made good progress improving patient care in a number of areas, notably coming out of quality special measures in February 2017.

“We have not, however, made as much progress as we would have liked with respect to performance on waiting times in emergency care.

“In this trust, as in many trusts around the country, there remains much to be done in order to deliver this and I think this is an appropriate time for me to hand over the executive leadership of the trust to somebody who will further progress this work.”

Mr Kershaw has taken up a post as a senior fellow with the health think tank, The King’s Fund.

He will be focusing on the development of accountable care systems, sustainability and transformation plans and new forms of provider organisations.

Deputy chief executive Liz Shutler will take over as acting chief executive until a formal appointment is made.