Jonathan Lofthouse NHS leave has sparked internal discussions after the chief executive of NHS Humber Health Partnership Group was reportedly placed on leave following a clash with chairman Sean Lyons.
The organisation, which oversees some of the largest hospital trusts in the NHS, confirmed that Lofthouse is currently not at work. In his absence, group chief nurse Amanda Stanford will serve as acting chief executive, according to an official statement from NHS Humber.
Dispute Between NHS Executives Triggers Leadership Shift
The BBC and Health Service Journal both reported that the leave follows disagreements between Jonathan Lofthouse and chairman Sean Lyons. While the nature of the disagreement remains undisclosed, multiple sources cited in the Health Service Journal indicate that the tension led to Lofthouse being temporarily removed from his duties.
A message to staff, seen by the BBC, confirmed Lofthouse is “currently not at work,” and that arrangements are underway to temporarily cover Stanford’s chief nurse responsibilities during her time as acting CEO.
NHS Humber Group Oversees Multiple Trusts and Hospitals
NHS Humber Health Partnership Group is one of the largest NHS groups in the region, managing two major trusts: Hull University Teaching Hospitals and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. The organisation operates five hospitals—Hull Royal Infirmary, Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, Scunthorpe General Hospital, and Goole and District Hospital.
It also manages several community health services on the south bank of the Humber, with a total budget of £1.4 billion and approximately 17,000 employees.
No Official Comment on the Disagreement
When asked about the reported clash between Lofthouse and Lyons, a spokesperson for NHS Humber stated: “We can confirm that group chief executive Jonathan Lofthouse is not currently at work. We have nothing further to add.”
Jonathan Lofthouse was appointed to the group CEO role in August 2023, as part of a leadership model shift designed to unify oversight across the two trusts.
