Health services in part of North London were in limbo again this week after yet another top executive announced her departure.

Christine Outram, chief executive of the North Central London Strategic Health Authority (SHA), which is responsible for developing strategies for the health service in the area and ensuring high-quality performance, is to leave after 11 years at the helm to work as a director with the Department of Health in Leeds in September. Her position is to be advertised this week.

Her departure will mean yet another reshuffle for health services in Barnet, following the controversial departure of Paul O'Connor, former chief executive of Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, in January.

Peter Packer, chairman of the Barnet Primary Care Trust (PCT) Patient Forum, said: "What's wrong with Barnet that it's such a headache that people have to leave?

"Every few months, all you hear is that some high-ranking executive is moving away. They think pastures are greener elsewhere. Let's hope this isn't detrimental for patients and that someone will look at Barnet and say let's get it right once and for all and give people the health service they deserve'."

The SHA denied Mrs Outram's departure had anything to do with the ongoing furore over waiting lists at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) in Stanmore which could see Barnet PCT lose its single star in this year's NHS ratings.

RNOH manager Stuart Coalwood has been suspended and an investigation is underway to determine whether he cancelled 300 operations at the hospital to slash waiting lists.

Because Barnet PCT commissions the RNOH to perform operations like hip replacements on its patients, the investigation could affect its own results when it comes to be assessed. The SHA is responsible for both the RNOH and Barnet PCT.

An SHA spokeswoman said: "There is no link at all. Mrs Outram is taking on a huge job announced by ministers in May. The likelihood they would offer it to someone who was underperforming is minimal."

Hendon MP Andrew Dismore said: "From what I hear, it's a promotion for Mrs Outram."

Mrs Outram has been chief executive of the SHA since it was founded in 2002 and was the chief executive of the old health authorities in Barnet, Enfield and Haringey since 1993.