Uproar as bosses at superbug-struck hospital go on holiday

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The chairman and chief executive brought in to deal with the crisis were accused of leaving the hospitals "rudderless" by taking breaks so quickly after starting work.

An MP said it was "unacceptable" that Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust in Kent, where at least 90 patients died from Clostridium difficile as a result of filthy conditions, was left without anyone at the helm.

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Infection outbreak: The Maidstone Hospital

Chief executive Glenn Douglas was appointed last week to replace Rose Gibb, who resigned over a damning report into appalling hygiene conditions on wards.

He took a week's holiday within days and does not return until Monday.

Chairman George Jenkins was installed on Tuesday after the resignation of James Lee. He, too, is now on a week's leave until a week on Monday.

This is despite the fact that, on Wednesday, Maidstone Hospital was forced to shut one of its wards to new admissions after 16 patients displayed symptoms of the sickness and diarrhoea bug Norovirus.

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Dirty conditions: Cups in a sink of a 'clean' utility room on Culpepper ward, Maidstone Hospital

Last night the Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells, Greg Clark, said: "I find it amazing that the two key people responsible for turning our hospitals around have decided to go on holiday at just the time when they are most needed.

"Local people will find it unacceptable and it sends a very poor signal to the rest of the staff.

"There is urgent work to do, not least to build confidence among local people that our hospitals are now being run competently.

"This is likely to undermine public confidence, not improve it."

Greg Clark the Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells, says the move is likely to undermine public confidence

A trust spokesman said he "took exception to Mr Clark's comments at a time when the trust was trying to move forward".

He confirmed details of the chairman and chief executive's holidays but insisted one was in charge at the trust while the other was away and said they were in daily contact with each other.

"These were longstanding family commitments and in no way represent any lack of leadership, drive or failure from these men to put anything less than 110 per cent into this organisation," he added.