A NEW chairman has been appointed at the trust that runs Morecambe Bay's hospitals.

Pearse Butler will take the reins at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT), after 18 years of experience as an NHS chief executive in organisations including Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital (Alder Hey) and the former Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority.

He will begin at the trust sometime before the end of autumn.

“I am delighted to have been appointed to the role of chair, at a time when the trust is clearly on a road to improvement, with so many exciting developments happening," he said.

“The hospitals have had some well-documented problems, and the recent CQC report must have been very disappointing for everyone, but the way staff, governors and leaders have responded really is admirable and I look forward to working with them all.”

He will replace former chair John Cowdall, who stepped down in June after 18 months in the role.

Deputy chairman, John Hutton, has been filling in for him since.

“We had a field of excellent candidates, and held a rigorous recruitment process led by our governors and involving staff and patient representatives," said Mr Hutton.

"I am confident that Pearse will fully reflect and promote the patient-focussed vision and values of our organisation, and look forward to his leadership of our trust board.”

A spokeswoman for the trust explained that Mr Butler's current work with the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) will help support it as it continues to develop 'modern, digital systems'.

He also has a track record of developing a sustainable, loyal workforce through attracting and training young people, with an emphasis on taking on apprentices.

Jackie Daniel, Chief Executive of UHMBT, said: “I am delighted to welcome Pearse to the trust, and look forward to his support as we continue to improve the quality of care and service we provide to patients and the way we work together across our hospitals and departments.

“I would like to thank John Hutton for his excellent work as interim chair, championing our improvement work and bolstering staff during a difficult time for the trust.”