Hospital chairman retires

Last updated 19:37, Thursday, 21 February 2008

THE CHAIRMAN of North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is retiring.

Eric Urquhart became chairman of the trust, which looks after the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, in 2003.

The 68-year-old, of Whitehaven, has devoted more than 30 years to the NHS.

He will formally retire once a new chairman is appointed in about three months time.

In 1992, Mr Urquhart was appointed chairman of West Cumbria Healthcare NHS Trust. Following health service changes and the establishment of primary care trusts from April 2001, he was appointed inaugural chairman of the new North Cumbria Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Trust in April 2001. In March 2003, Mr Urquhart was seconded to North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and was appointed substantive chairman by the Appointments Commission later that year.

Marie Burnham, chief executive of the hospitals trust, said: “Eric has devoted many years’ service to our local NHS to ensure that we develop a first class health service which puts patients at the heart of our decision-making. We will be sorry to lose him but wish him well for his retirement.”