Morecambe Bay NHS Trust names Jackie Daniel as chief executive

Ms Daniel began her NHS career as a nurse

A beleaguered NHS trust which was accused of putting patients "at risk of poor care" has announced the appointment of 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.

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, a former nurse who had been chief executive at the trust since 2007, resigned in February after police announced an investigation into deaths at the baby unit at Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

Health regulators also criticised standards at Royal Lancaster Infirmary's A&E unit and delays to outpatient follow-up appointments.

'Leadership and stability'

Ms Daniel, who will take over the role from interim chief executive Eric Morton on 1 August, said she was "delighted" to take up the position.

"I believe that I have a real opportunity here to make a difference," she said.

"My clinical background and track record of turning around organisations in various stages of difficulty gives me experience of the sorts of challenges faced by the trust.

"I am confident that I can bring leadership and stability to the organisation, driving it forward to a successful future."

Ms Daniel began her career in the NHS as a nurse, like her predecessor, and is currently chief executive of Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust.

Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust chairman Sir David Henshaw said Ms Daniel brought to the role "a wealth of valuable, successful leadership experience at the highest level in both acute and mental health sectors".

"She has a real passion for delivering safe, high quality, individualised patient care and hands-on caring experience from working on the front line," he said.