Criticised Cumbria hospital trust appoints new chair

Gina Tiller, a former nurse, has chaired a number of NHS organisations

A new chair has been appointed to the criticised North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Gina Tiller replaces interim chair Ian Gordon who held a one year contract.

The trust, which runs Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital and Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, is in special measures due to high death rates, and has ongoing financial problems.

Ms Tiller said that while there were challenges ahead she was confident services would continue to improve.

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

'Many challenges'

It was due to be acquired by the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust last October, but this has been delayed until all the improvements detailed in the review were implemented.

Ms Tiller said: "The trust has made great steps in improving services for patients.

"This is demonstrated in the positive patient experience results and the mortality rates that show the trust as being within expected range.

"'There are clearly still many challenges ahead, however there is also an exciting future."