THE chief nurse of the local hospitals trust has quit her post.

Staff were informed of the departure of Mrs Denise Houghton, executive director of nursing for The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, by e-mail at the end of last month.

Nurses say her departure was sudden and unexpected. The post of executive director of nursing remains empty.

Chief executive of the Trust, which is responsible for Fairfield General Hospital, said: "I wish to advise you that Denise Houghton has left the employment of the Trust. On behalf of the Trust Board I thank her for her work and dedication to the Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust and latterly as executive director of nursing at the Pennine Acute Trust. I am sure staff will wish to join me in wishing Denise every success for the future."

Mrs Houghton held a senior position within Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust and then took over responsibility for nursing within The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which merged Fairfield General, Rochdale Infirmary, North Manchester General and The Royal Oldham Hospital.