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NHS Confederation chief resigns

By Gareth Iacobucci

The chief executive of the NHS Confederation has resigned following criticism of a recently scrapped plan for NHS Employers to effectively sell HR services to NHS trusts.

Steve Barnett announced his resignation following criticism of a proposed 'member model project', which was subsequently axed by the Department of Health after fewer than 20 trusts signed up for it.

Steve Barnett said: ‘Colleagues will be aware of the issues we have recently faced surrounding the NHS Employers Member Model project.

‘While I cannot and should not accept responsibility for the actions or omissions of others, I have never shied away from or attempted to dispute the fact that accountability for oversight should properly rest with me as CEO.'

Nigel Edwards, the Confederation's director of policy, has taken over as interim chief executive while the search for Mr Barnett's successor is conducted.