A TOP academic has been enlisted to help improve research and training Morecambe Bay hospital trust.

Chairman of the University of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT) Sir David Henshaw has announced Prof Sir George Alberti will review the organisation’s of research and development department and its education and training.

Prof Alberti, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of King’s College Hospital Trust, will also support work to improve its emergency care systems across the UHMBT’s three hospitals.

Sir David said: “Our vision can be best summed up as providing safe, high quality patient care, designed around our patients – which is up there with the best in the world. As part of realising this ambition, I am delighted to announce that the internationally renowned Professor Alberti has kindly agreed to lead a review of research and development, education and training for our Trust.”

UHMBT temporary chief executive Eric Morton said: “This announcement is great news. We want ‘university’ in our name to be more than just a title. It is vital that we apply the same academic rigour and standards of excellence to our R&D and learning as the very best universities.”

Prof Alberti’s review is expected to start next month and take two months to complete.