A HEALTH trust has appointed a new chief executive - in a role which is likely to disappear after two years.

Chris Butler has been named as the new boss of North Essex Partnership Foundation Trust, which provides mental health care across north Essex and Suffolk.

The trust has said the interim appointment reflects “the changing environment in the local NHS.”

Talks are in hand which could lead to a merger with the trust which provides mental health services in the south of the county to save money.

Details of the interim job and its conditions were not disclosed when the job was advertised last year.

When asked what Mr Butler's pay would be, a trust spokesman said it had not even decided.

The former nurse is taking over the role from Andrew Geldard, who has held the post since 2008 and is leaving for personal reasons.

Mr Butler will be responsible for about 2,000 staff and will take the post on February 22.

He said: "I am delighted to be joining the North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. There are many challenges facing health and social care in Essex and no single organisation can face these alone. "I know that all of the partners across Essex want the very best for patients, service users, and carers and I look forward to working with others to make this intention a reality.

"I also know that everyone working in the Trust is committed to providing the best possible services for people who need specialist help, and that every day NHS people do great things in helping vulnerable people. I also know that there will always be things that need to be done differently and I look forward to working with service users and carers, and with colleagues in the Trust, to understand what needs to change and improve."

Mr Butler maintains his mental health nursing registration.

In March 2015 he was named as one of the top 50 chief executives in the NHS by the Health Service Journal.

He was Chief Executive at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for ten years until the end of last year.

Prior to joining Leeds and York Chris was the Chief Executive at Kingston Primary Care NHS Trust.

Trust chairman Chris Paveley said: "Chris will be a huge asset to us as we move forward with implementing our quality improvements, improving our estate and managing our challenging financial position.

"I am delighted to have made such a good appointment. Chris brings a wealth of experience which I and the rest of the Board believe will be invaluable in the months ahead."

The trust manages more than 60 sites and more than 300 in-patient beds, as well as caring for 15,000 patients in the community.

An outline business plan for the merger with the south Essex trust is due to be sent to health regulator Monitor for approval shortly.

Its impact on staffing levels is still under discussion, but the North Essex Partnership has promised frontline clinical staff will not be affected.