By Pamela McGowan Health reporter

Last updated at 12:50, Tuesday, 14 August 2012

A new boss due to take over the running of north Cumbria’s two main hospitals yesterday is still not in the post.

Ann Farrar

It had been announced that Ann Farrar would take over from Neil Goodwin as interim chief executive at Carlisle and Whitehaven on August 13. But yesterday the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital, said there had been a delay.

Mrs Farrar is being moved across from neighbouring Northumbria Healthcare, which is in the process of taking over the existing trust.

The deal is not due to be finalised until December but, following high-profile safety concerns at the two hospitals, the area’s MPs have been calling for new management to be brought in urgently.

It was announced last month that Mrs Farrar – currently Northumbria’s chief operating officer – would be brought in as interim chief executive from yesterday.

Dr Goodwin – who currently earns £1,750 a day – was due to stand down, though would continue to work at the trust in an advisory capacity. However a spokeswoman for the North Cumbrian trust confirmed the move had not gone ahead as planned. She said the delay was down to a key agreement between the two organisations, which had not been signed.

“The trust board, at its July meeting, fully supported the start of the interim management arrangements, subject to the signing of the Business Transfer Agreement (BTA), with effect from August 13. While elements of the BTA have been satisfactorily concluded, other elements require further detailed consideration by all parties,” she said.

“Consequently, the BTA has not been signed in the timeframe anticipated and the interim arrangements will not take effect as anticipated.”

A further meeting to help speed up the transfer will be held tomorrow.

“The trust board, including Northumbria and SHA (Strategic Health Authority) colleagues, is meeting on August 15 to discuss how these matters may be moved forward and satisfactorily resolved,” she added. “It is hoped that following this meeting that the management arrangements may be swiftly progressed.”

Mrs Farrar is expected to be joined by Northumbrian colleague Dr Jeremy Rushmer, who is to become director of clinical service transformation in Carlisle and Whitehaven.

First published at 11:28, Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk