East Kent’s new hospitals chief is confident he can drag the beleaguered trust out of special measures, KentOnline can reveal.

In his first interview, Matthew Kershaw says he intends to build on the foundations his predecessor has laid.

Mr Kershaw has told reporters he “hopes and expects” Care Quality Commission inspectors to view the ailing trust more favourably on their next visit.

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The hospitals trust was plunged into special measures when inspectors swooped in 2014 having identified managerial failings and a culture of staff bullying.

Last year they recognised progress but kept the trust in special measures – a monitored programme of required improvement.

Mr Kershaw told KentOnline: “The trust made real progress under Chris [Bown]’s leadership because of the hard work that the staff themselves put in.

“The follow-up CQC inspection did make positive progress in that the trust moved from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ but the special measures remain.

“So there is more work to be done but it’s more work building on a good base.”

Mr Kershaw, 45, earned the nickname ‘The Axeman’ at his previous trust due to controversial cuts made.

He identifies two areas where further improvements need to be made.

“The work we need to do is improving in emergency care – so that’s the emergency departments, but also how patients flow through the whole hospital,” he said.

“We’ve also got to improve the way that staff feel about working in the trust.”

He says improvements in these areas had been made but that further work was needed.

“Those two things and many other things that the action plan around the CQC inspection sets out – all of that’s progressing.

“I hope that when the CQC come back next year that we will be removed from special measures but that’s a CQC judgement, not mine.”

Asked whether he was confident the special measures would be lifted, he said: “I obviously have to wait and see what they say.

“But if we carry on doing the good work that’s been started, continue the progress that’s underway, then I hope and expect that we’d get out of special measures.”