With just days to go before the result of a crucial judgment on the future of Wythenshawe Hospital, it’s chief executive, Dr Attila Vegh has stepped down.

Dr Vegh occupied the post at University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Trust for less than two and a half years.

The resignation comes after months of tension between the health trust with runs hospital and commissioners over controversial plans to remove the hospital’s specialist status for general surgery as part of the Healthier Together initiative.

UHSM’s board opposed the plans which prompted staff and local residents to launch a “Keep Wythenshawe Special” campaign, a thousand-strong protest in Wythenshawe town centre attracting cross party support, and a legal challenge to the decision.

The result of the judicial review is due soon.

In a statement published in the Manchester Evening News, Dr Vegh said: “It has been a huge privilege to be chief executive of UHSM.

“I want to pay tribute to every single members of the UHSM team for their support and continued commitment to delivering safe, high quality care to all our patients.”