An NHS troubleshooter, who was employed to sort out the crisis at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust, has been brought in to improve the region's mental health service.

Monitor on Tuesday appointed former NHS chief executive, Alan Yates, to help Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) get out of special measures.

Mr Yates will take up the role of improvement director at the troubled trust which was judged 'inadequate' by regulators earlier this month, amid concerns about staffing levels, safety of services and leadership.

Mr Yates has over 27 years NHS experience, over half which he has spent working for mental health trusts.

And according to the website of his company, Unique Health Solutions, and his LinkedIn profile, he was most recently employed at Mid Staffs where an estimated 400-1,200 patients died because of poor care between January 2005 and March 2009.

'Most recently Alan has successfully supported Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust in its efforts to sustain its services through reputational damage, staff retention issues and organizational flux until dissolution,' his website reads.

Mr Yates will be based at the NSFT part-time and will work alongside the trust's leadership.

Alexandra Coull, deputy regional director at Monitor, said: 'This extra support will help Norfolk and Suffolk make the improvements to its services that patients need.

'Alan has extensive experience of leading NHS organisations and therefore will be able to provide invaluable help and expertise.

'We will continue to monitor the trust's progress in making improvements and will take further action if necessary.'

Mr Yates started as a trainee NHS manager at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 1976.

In July 2000 he took up a post as chief executive of North Mersey Community NHS Trust and in June 2001 became chief executive of Mersey Care NHS Trust.