National health regulator Monitor has appointed new leadership at the troubled Medway NHS Foundation Trust - a week after its two bosses quit.

The NHS-funded body, tasked with protecting patients' well-being, has today replaced chief executive Mark Devlin and chairman Denise Harker who announced their joint resignation last week.

The trust, which runs Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, was described as "one of the most challenged" in Britain.

It was placed in specials measures last year over high deaths rates after a vast catalogue of damning findings.

Stephen Hay, Monitor's managing director, said: "Medway is one of the most challenged trusts in the country and we believe that a change in leadership is essential for the trust to tackle the difficult issues that it faces.

"I am disappointed with the way this trust has been managed by its previous leaders, so we have acted quickly to ensure the right people are brought in to deliver immediate improvements at this troubled trust."

The trust was placed in special measure six months ago after the national Keogh Review found "major failings", including poor management.

An investigation into mortality rates, led by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh, revealed more than 200 patients died unnecessarily at the Gillingham hospital in 2012.

Months before the report came out, a top consultant condemned the A&E department as "dangerously unsafe".

And in October last year, inspectors from the Care Quality Commision found serious shortfalls with maternity services.

Monitor has today appointed Nigel Beverley as interim chief executive and Christopher Langley as interim chairman. Both are said to have a wealth of NHS and management experience.

Colin Wilby, senior independent director at the trust, said: "The board welcomes Nigel Beverley and Christopher Langley to Medway NHS Foundation Trust and looks forward to working constructively with them to bring about the improvements in performance that we all want see for our patients and staff."

In a statement released last Thursday, Mr Devlin - who has been in the post for four years - said: "I feel this is the right moment to move on and encourage a new leadership to build on what's been achieved and take the trust forward to the next phase."

Ms Harker said: "We have some amazing and dedicated staff at the trust and I am proud to have worked with them."

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