THE boss of a health trust which is at the centre of patient abuse claims and a cost-cutting controversy has left his job just days after staff passed a vote of no-confidence in him.

It is understood that NHS bosses are looking for another post in the north west for Andrew Butters, chief executive of the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust.

His departure, on secondment from the trust, follows calls for his resignation after a scandal over abuse and neglect of elderly mental health patients on one of the trust's wards.

A highly-critical independent investigation blamed a lack of leadership after a catalogue of injury and abuse allegations concerning 10 dementia patients living at the former Rowan Ward at Withington Hospital.

The decision also comes just days after angry mental health workers in Manchester voted for a strike ballot over cuts they claim will kill patients.

They passed a no-confidence motion in Mr Butters, who they blamed for a decision by the trust - which is £5m in the red - to save £485,000 by cutting the number of mental health beds.

Many of the 1,300 staff who plan to walk out believe the cuts would be the last straw..

Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority bosses said there were a few options open to Mr Butters, who was unavailable for comment today.

In a statement, the trust said: "Andrew Butters is leaving to take on a senior strategic lead within the north west.'' Tweet