A NEW chairman has been appointed to the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT).

John Cowdall replaces the interim chairman Sir David Henshaw who was appointed last year to restore UHMBT’s fortunes following a catalogue of problems led to criticism from health watchdogs the Care Quality Commission and Monitor.

Mr Cowdall was a non-executive director and deputy chairman of Calderstones NHS Trust in Whalley, Clitheroe, for six years until the end of November 2012.

Previously, he had been a non-executive director of the former South Lancashire Health Authority and was the chief executive of West Lancashire Borough Council for 17 years. He will take up his appointment at UHMBT on February 1.