A health watchdog has appointed a new director to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust's (MTW) board to bring spending under control.

Last month the acute trust was placed into financial special measures by NHS Improvement (NHSI) over its forecast £23 million deficit.

Simon Worthington took up the role on Monday (August 22) and is paid by the NHS Improvement.

Mr Worthington, a fellow of the Association of Chartered Accountants is also serving as deputy chief executive and director of finance at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust where he is credited with executing a similar financial turnaround.

The trust is currently rated as good by the Care Quality Commission and is now out of difficulty.

The new director will scrutinise the actions MTW is taking to develop its financial recovery plan and reduce its financial deficit.