THE chief executive of Stratford and Warwick Hospitals has resigned following a lengthy probe into alleged irregularities in the administration of waiting list figures.

Andrew Riley gave in his notice on Monday, just over three months after he was suspended on full pay over the allegations, which surfaced in a routine report, according to the chairman of South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust David Evans.

At a press conference yesterday (Wednesday), Mr Evans said he did not know why Mr Riley had resigned but would not say whether a report into the investigation discovered any anomalies or levelled any accusations at the former chief.

A chief executive from an unnamed NHS trust elsewhere in the West Midlands was called into investigate the management of waiting times for non-routine operations undertaken at Stratford and Warwick Hospitals in October last year.

When Mr Riley was suspended it was stressed to staff via a memo distributed by Mr Evans that the suspension was by no means an indication of guilt on Mr Riley's behalf and was merely a precautionary measure.

A result was initially expected in November, but Mr Evans sent another memo to all staff just before Christmas saying the full report into the inquiry had been handed over to directors and had to be considered in full.

Mr Evans said at the press conference that the result of the probe would have to remain under wraps because of "confidential patient information", however he said that, following a review of administrative procedures, he was confident everything was now in order.

He said there would be "no disciplinary action taken against any member of staff", but would not say whether any action would have been taken if Mr Riley had not resigned.

He stressed that Mr Riley was not forced to resign, he did so of his own accord and would not receive a preferential pay-off.

"Mr Riley was a member of trust staff and will be treated accordingly," he said.

Justin Welby, a non-executive director of the trust and chairman of the audit and finance committee, added there had: "never been a point when patients have been affected by anything in the waiting list investigation."

Deputy chief executive Nancy Hempstead will continue in the chief's role until a new chief executive is appointed in around five months time.