The chief executive officer of St George's Hospital trust will be leaving just weeks after the board appointed a new chairman. 

Miles Scott, who spoke out against the imposition of the new junior doctors contracts in February, was said to have left his job a number of days ago, but the trust insisted he was on holiday.

March 8: Morale is low at St George's Hospital after junior doctor contract imposition, chief executive admits

February 15: St George's chief executive meets with junior doctors on Saturday after open letter to negotiate locally

A letter was circulated today, April 22, from the board, stating that Mr Scott would be "stepping down from his role as Chief Executive Officer in order to take up a secondment to NHS Improvement where he will take a senior role leading national priorities". 

Dr Paula Vasco-Knight CBE is now acting chief executive officer with immediate effect.

Who is the new acting boss of St George's Hospital? What we know so far

It is not clear if Mr Scott has returned from his holiday. 

A spokesman for the trust told this newspaper last week: "Miles Scott is on planned annual leave and we have no further comment to make."

The Wandsworth Guardian contacted Mr Scott directly but he did not respond to requests that he quash the rumour of his departure. 

Sir David Henshaw's appointment as interim chairman was announced on April 6.

He has a reputation as a troubleshooter having stepped in at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Morecambe Bay, where 11 babies and one mother died unneccessarily.

February 12: St George's trust "learned lessons" from shortfall in consultation in future of urogynaecology unit​

February 11: St George's Hospital chief exec says Jeremy Hunt should not impose junior doctors' contracts

The last time Mr Scott tweeted from his @stgeorgesceo account was on March 17, almost a month ago, although last Tuesday afternoon he 'liked' a Tweet about a colleague leaving.

The trust is facing a multi-million pound deficit, with a warning in July from the government that it did not have an adequate recovery plan and faced a deficit of £46.2m by April. 

In February, the deficit forecast was £52.6m and the trust was given 75 recommendations in an audit report into its finances. 

Currently, 10 sub-speciality departments are under investigation to see whether cuts can be made.

How the hospital tried to buy time before admitting the truth

April 13: A Wandsworth Guardian source tips off the paper that Miles Scott has left the trust.

The trust issues a statement saying Mr Scott is on annual leave and declining to make further comment. 

April 15: The Wandsworth Guardian contacts Mr Scott via Twitter to ask him to quash the rumours he is leaving. He does not respond. 

April 21: The rumour refuses to die and the Wandsworth Guardian contacts the trust again for comment. No response received.

April 22: An internal letter to staff leaks. Hospital finally publishes statement on its website