New Furness General Hospital boss relishes ‘big task’
Last updated at 16:41, Wednesday, 23 January 2013
THE new health boss responsible for overseeing the running of Furness General Hospital has said ignoring public opinion on the future of its services would be “a serious mistake”.
John Cowdall has been appointed chairman of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs FGH, and will take over the post on February 1.
He joins UHMBT at a time of major change.
Although it is meeting safety and quality standards following problems which saw it inspected and criticised by various health regulators, the trust still has major issues to address. Having had to spend extra money on its turnaround plan, UHMBT needs to claw back £50m over the next five years – the equivalent of £1 for every £5 it spends.
It has to have plans in place for how it will do this by April 2014, and medical staff and managers are working with the county’s commissioners to look at all its services and how they could be changed for the future.
The ongoing review has caused concern among Furness parents who fear one option could be to downgrade Barrow’s maternity unit from being consultant-led to midwife-led, dealing with only the most routine of births.
Questioned about the issue during his first interview, Mr Cowdall said: “Let me assure you that nothing will happen without the most careful consideration and the widest and fullest possible consultation.
“Nothing’s going to be imposed. That would be a very serious mistake and I don’t think I’d be hanging around too long if that was going to be the case.
“The service review is under way now. There is absolutely nothing ruled out and nothing ruled in. No decisions have been made because there is a consultation process to go through.”
Mr Cowdall also reiterated his determination to make sure that, whatever services the commissioners decide they want UHMT to provide, they will be of the highest quality.
He added: “It’s a big task, but I’m certainly looking forward to it.”
First published at 16:24, Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Editor's picks
- Cumbria's superfast broadband delayed by EU red tape again
- Pirelli factory death probe ordered tougher safety measures
- Dangerous machines among H&S offences in Carlisle area
- Slurry lagoons and asthma causing chemicals among Eden safety issues
- Factory heat could be used to warm 30,000 Cumbrian homes
- Businesses urged to get behind university's new business school
- Cumbria sets up links with Chinese university
- Patchy broadband damaging rural businesses (4 comments)
- £4m fund launched to help Cumbrian firms
- City predicts parts of Stobart Group will be sold
More news
- Cumbria LEP seeks commission members
- Profits down at Jennings Brothers owner
- Awards commendation for Cumbrian insulation invention
- Number of unemployed falls in Cumbria
- Underlying profits up but Stobart Group takes hit on pallet operation
- Sellafield has need for up to £100m worth of steel boxes
- Penrith builders' merchant depot sold
Vote
New vacancies
Useful links
BBC News business headlines
in-cumbria features
Investment to increase capacity at Carlisle’s Lanes shopping centre is on the cards following a change of ownership. 
What brought one of the most advanced performance management systems to Cumbria?
Cumbria business women make waves on the west coast - Don’t smash your caravan - sell to me!
- Revamp for Maryport Post Office
- Fashion designer starts gem of an online business
- More than 1,000 clamour to climb in Maryport
- Stobart Group aiming to start flights to Carlisle Airport as profits rise
- Awards commendation for Cumbrian insulation invention
- Number of unemployed falls in Cumbria
- Underlying profits up but Stobart Group takes hit on pallet operation
- Sellafield has need for up to £100m worth of steel boxes
- Penrith builders' merchant depot sold
- Chip shop fire in Penrith
- Fears that state of lighthouses will stop people visiting Whitehaven (4 comments)
- Three injured after A66 crash
- Fire crews tackle blaze in Penrith
- Operating theatres closed at Cumbrian hospital
- ‘Lucky escape’ for Barrow cyclist after challenge crash
- MPs urge action over Barrow hospital service cuts
- Cumbria Council warns of ‘premature’ use of quarry as a landfill site
- Weather warning issued for parts of Cumbria
- Man stole because he was being blackmailed about paedophile past, court told
Have your say
Be the first to comment on this article!
Make your comment