THE managerial merry-go-round at Colchester’s hospitals has seen another change at the top.

Evelyn Barker, interim chief operating officer since January, will be replaced by Sandy Spencer – another short-term appointment.

Mrs Spencer is a consultant who has held a string of interim roles at hospitals, including Southend and Brighton, in recent years.

Mrs Barker, who was earning more than £1,000 a day, is the eighth director to leave in the last year.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust has been in special measures since lastNovemberwhen the Care Quality Commission found staff had been bullied into falsifying cancer data. The hospital has since been criticised for its lack of leadership and the number of interim appointments.

A trust spokesman said interviews for a full-time interim chief operating officer would start next month. He said: “Ms Barker always planned not to stay beyond December.”

Ms Barker was paid at least £95,000 for her work between January 13 and March 31. It is understood her replacement will be paid a similar rate.

Shane Morrison-McCabe will start work on November 24 in the newly created role of interim deputy chief operating officer.

Dr Barbara Stuttle has been appointed director of nursing, replacing Dee Hackett who left last month.

The recruitment process for a permanent successor will start shortly.

Dr Lucy Moore, chief executive, is on a long-term interim contract, while the finance director, Andy Morris, is also interim. The only permanent appointees are medical director Dr Sean MacDonnell and Lynn Lane, director of human resources and organisational development.