Morecambe Bay NHS Trust set for special measures, says MP

MP Tim Farron has backed the trust's chief executive, Jackie Daniel

A failing health trust will be put into special measures "in the next few days," its local MP has said.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said NHS England confirmed the decision at a meeting about the future of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

It follows the leaking to the BBC of a draft report compiled by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC document revealed services and patient safety were "inadequate".

The trust runs four hospitals in Cumbria and Lancashire.

'No decapitation'

Liberal Democrat Mr Farron said: "I've had conversations with a few people in the last day or two who have indicated that [will be the case]."

Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria earlier, he said the move should not lead to the removal of the trust's chief executive, Jackie Daniel.

"In other hospital trusts across the country when you get special measures it means you sack the chief executive and there's a complete decapitation at the top and there's all sorts of chaos.

"Jackie Daniel is relatively new to the post and the problems we have are not her fault."

In its draft report, the CQC raised issues within acute services, safety and leadership at the trust.

It also reported concerns over staff vacancies levels.

Higher mortality rates

Inspectors visited Furness General Hospital in Barrow, Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal, and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in February.

Ms Daniel said: "As this is a draft report for accuracy checking, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."

Health service regulator Monitor also declined to comment.

If such action is taken, it would mean both hospital trusts operating in Cumbria would be in special measures.

North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust was one of 11 nationally put into special measures in July last year after the Keogh review found higher than expected mortality rates.