Dr John Lowes, medical director at South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed interim chief executive in the absence of suspended chief executive Dr Paula Vasco-Knight.

Acting chairman David Knight said: 'The intermin clinical leadership Dr Lowes provides in invaluable for the trust during the absence of our chief executive...

'Our plan is to create a single integrated care organisation (ICO) which revolutionises health and social care services for our community. Dr Lowes has been involved with this project from the outset and, as a highly respected doctor and an outstanding clinical leader, he is ideally placed to provide the strategic leadership that we need as interim chief executive during Dr Vasco-Knight's absence.'

Dr Vasco-Knight is suspended because of an investigation into her alleged conduct after an employment tribunal.