Crisis hospital trust appoint new chief executive

A troubled  NHS trust, accused of putting patients "at risk of poor care" has appointed a new chief executive. Jackie Daniel will join University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust in August. The trust, which runs hospitals in Cumbria and Lancashire, has faced criticism from the Care Quality Commission over standards of care.

But Ms Daniel said her appointment was "a real opportunity to make a difference". The NHS trust, which runs the Furness and Westmorland General hospitals, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, has faced several poor reports and investigations in recent months.

Tony Halsall who had been chief executive at the trust since 2007, resigned in February when  police announced an investigation into deaths at the baby unit at Furness General Hospital.

Health regulators also criticised standards at Royal Lancaster Infirmary's A&E unit and delays to outpatient follow-up appointments. Ms Daniel will take over the role from interim chief executive Eric Morton on 1 August.