The 415-bed hospital has been run by an interim chair since October, when health watchdogs placed it in special measures.

Now the QEH is advertising for a permanent chair for its governing trust.

'The trust has faced some challenging quality, finance and governance issues over recent months, and is currently working with its regulators to put into place a series of improvements, some of which are already being delivered,' the advertisement says.

'In parallel, the trust is developing the next phase of its strategy and it is into this environment that the organisation seeks to appoint a new chair.'

A hospital spokesman confirmed the role was paid, but said the amount was subject to negotiation.

'David Dean, the vice-chair of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Trust, is going to remain as interim chair until we appoint someone to the role full time,' he added.

'The time is now approaching when we need to move to a more permanent position.'

The QEH was placed in special measures after the Care Quality Commission warned staffing levels were too low, waiting times were too long and its financial performance was not satisfactory.

In March, the hospital said it had turned around its staffing crisis by recruiting more nurses.