MPs say hospital boss should go (From Watford Observer)

MPs say hospital boss should go

8:53am Friday 19th October 2007

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Two MPs have called for the man in charge of Watford General Hospital to resign, after the release of a damning report into the state of affairs at the local health trust.

West Hertfordshire Hospital's NHS Trust was ranked as one of the worst performing trusts in the country in a study released yesterday.

The quality of service and financial management of the trust, which operates Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, were rated as "weak" - the lowest possible rating - in a report by the Healthcare Commission.

This is the second year running the trust has received a "double weak" report, one of only four across the country.Despite Following the release of the report, Watford MP Claire Ward and Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning called for trust chief executive David Law to resign.

Ms Ward, a Labour MP, described David Law's position as "untenable" and demanded a review of the trust's entire management.

She said: "There are areas where improvements have been made and no doubt David Law has helped to drive forward plans for the health campus and huge improvements for the future. But to still be in this position after two years, the (East of England) Strategic Health Authority (SHA) now needs to look at the overall management."

Hemel Hempstead's Conservative MP Mike Penning called for Mr Law's resignation and went one step further - demanding the entire board resign.

He said: "Last year's results should have prompted immediate remedial action but it appears nothing has changed."

A trust representative said the board would not reconsider its position and said improvements were being made where failings had been found. In particular, it was claimed the new elective care centre at St Albans would significantly reduce the number of cancelled operations.

Mr Law, who took on the role of trust chief executive in July 2004 and earns an annual salary of £120,000 plus benefits of up to £25,000, said: "I'm delighted that the hard work of employees across the trust, which has seen us tackle a significant financial deficit while improving services in many areas, has been recognised.

"There are exciting and ambitious plans in place and these changes can only happen with the continued dedication of staff and, while disappointing, these results increasingly highlight the need to introduce changes that enable staff to provide the consistently high-quality services that local people deserve."

To view the full Healthcare Commission report, visit http://2007ratings.healthcarecommission.org.uk/patientsandthepublic.cfm.

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