THE head of an outstanding hospital trust has been named the best chief executive in the country.

Marianne Griffiths, who runs Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, received the accolade at the prestigious Health Service Journal Awards on Wednesday night.

The news bodes well for the failing Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which is buddying up with its neighbour in a bid to improve its performance.

Western Sussex, which was created through a merger in 2009, was given an outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year.

It has consistently government targets and is forecasting a surplus of more than £3 million.

Judges said Mrs Griffiths inspired and supported staff do their best for patients.

Mrs Griffiths was nominated for the award by trust chairman Mike Viggers who wrote: "Marianne is without question the most selfless and devoted leader you could hope for in ensuring the best possible hospital care for our patients, our community, installing pride back into the hospitals of West Sussex.

"If just one word was available to define the person it would simply be 'inspirational'.

Mrs Griffiths accepted the award on behalf of the whole trust, which runs Worthing Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital in Shoreham and Southlands Hospital in Shoreham.

The news quickly hit Twitter, with many trust staff, as well as NHS colleagues from across the country, congratulating her on her win.

In response Mrs Griffiths thanked colleagues for being so supportive and attributed the award to “working with such fabulous people”.

It was revealed earlier this month the trust would be working with Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals to offer from its experience and expertise.

The agreement will lead to Mrs Griffiths and her chairman Mike Viggers replace their counterparts in Brighton in April.

Other members of the Western Sussex leadership team will also provide support.

Both trusts have stressed the move is not a merger or a take-over and they will continue to work as two separate bodies.

Brighton and Sussex has been placed in special measures for both care and finances and recently revealed it was heading for a £60 million deficit at the end of March.

It was branded inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection earlier this year.

Over the next six months Brighton and Sussex will be getting support from its neighbour as it works to come out of special measures.

At the same time an improvement oversight group, comprising the leadership of both trusts, will be set up to oversee the development of the longer-term arrangement from April.