BEREAVED families and a former health minister have slammed a decision to keep the chief executive of heavily-criticised Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in her job.

The Trust's interim chair Tim Smart announced this morning that Katrina Percy will not leave the post despite pleas for her resignation, following an NHS England investigation which found the organisation failed to investigate hundreds of deaths over the previous four years.

Earlier this month the Trust finally admitted causing the death of 18-year-old Headington teenager Connor Sparrowhawk, who drowned in a bath while in its care in Slade House in 2013.

Mr Smart failed to blame any individuals and said the executive board was "too stretched" to guarantee high quality services everywhere it operates - a decision that sparked campaigners' pledge to continue to pile on pressure.

Speaking on behalf of patients and relatives who suffered under care of Southern Health, Richard West said: "We are extremely shocked that those who have sat in judgement on this matter would allow Katrina Percy to continue in her role as Chief Executive.

"We believe it reflects badly on them and their judgement. It is beyond belief given the clear evidence available and a long succession of failures that have come to light.

"We cannot understand why this incredulous decision has been made to allow Katrina Percy to remain in her post.

"We have not given up and we are not going to go away. Instead we have been energised by this unjust decision to continue our fight for the people that now have no voice."

Last month the Trust apologised to Connor's family and awarded them £80,000 compensation but the admission prompted renewed calls for Ms Percy to resign.

But Mr Smart concluded today that there was no evidence of incompetence or negligence in any individual board member.

He said: "I would first like formally to extend my deepest apologies to the individuals and families who have been deeply affected by recent events. I can only imagine the pain they are suffering.

"I know there is interest in the Chief Executive of the organisation and I can confirm that Katrina Percy will continue in this role.

"However until now she has been too operationally focussed in her role.

"She will shift her focus to delivery of the future strategy of the Trust which I believe needs to be accelerated."

He said he was "confident" it was making progress but admitted the trust needed to "transform the way in which it delivers services" and change its leadership team.

The Care Quality Commission released a damning report in April, which found that bosses were to blame for a lack of action taken to address concerns over patient safety.

Mr Smart's announcement prompted MP and former health minister Norman Lamb to brand it a "serious failure".

Connor, who had autism and learning disabilities, died after having an epileptic fit in the bath at Slade House in Headington in July 2013.

Campaign group Justice for LB was set up to hold those responsible accountable for the death of Connor, known to friends as "laughing boy".

It tweeted after Mr Smart's decision: "No words, no #justiceforLB."

Former Southern Health governor Mark Aspinall, who stepped down in April, joined the condemnation in a Facebook post.

He said: "This stemmed from the appalling death of Connor Sparrowhawk in the care of the Trust 3 years ago. Something unforgivable that should never have been even close to happening.

"I was ashamed of the way the Trust was handling the problems it had, and distressed that the leaders of the Trust had taken no responsibility for repeated failures.

"If the people leading the Trust aren't to be picked out for leading the Trust into the mess, who is? I suspect that, ultimately, no one will be."

Southern Health released a statement this morning pledging to "continue improving patient care and the way it is run".

Claudia Griffith, Regional Director at NHS Improvement, said: “The action we are announcing today will provide specific support to ensure these longstanding problems are finally resolved.

"It’s also integral to good quality care that service users and patients, families or carers are listened to."

She said they would continue steps to resolve patient safety problems, and review how the Trust listens to service users, families and stakeholders.