I’m sorry for health merger, says former NHS boss

Councillor Robert Clegg

The former Chief Executive of the Rochdale Healthcare NHS has publicly apologised for the decision he made ten years ago to be part of the hospital merger now known as the Pennine Acute Trust.

Councillor Robert Clegg, said at a meeting of full council held this evening (Wednesday 15 December 2010) that it was a “mistake” to become part of the Trust.

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust was formed from the merger of four former NHS Trusts based in Rochdale, Bury, Oldham and North Manchester.

Councillor Clegg said the Trust is too big, he added: “There is no doubt in my mind that Rochdale has been treated badly.”

Councillor Clegg supported the Council  vote of no confidence in the Trust but added: “I’m not sure how much good it will do.”

He added: “There is no doubt in my mind that Rochdale has been discriminated against.”

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Clegg said: “I have watched it (the Infirmary) go down and down and I have heard the tales about the inability to recruit junior staff – which I don’t believe.”

“I do know that we couldn’t have carried on how we were but this is not what I expected to see.”

Looking back Councillor Clegg said it was a mistake but it was easy to say that in hindsight.

Councillor Clegg, said: “I can only apologise I didn’t believe this would happen and I am genuinely and desperately sorry not only to the patients and their families but particularly to the staff who are getting a poor deal.”

The Pennine Acute Trust was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.