Dr John Reid: Heavy challenges ahead

Mr Reid made the comments during a tour of the controversial Carlisle hospital, which was the first in Britain built under the government Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

The �87m hospital, which opened in April 2000, has been criticised by health experts and union officials.

The 444-bed site was slated for having too few beds as soon as it opened.

Health bosses admitted it was too small to cope and have suggested an extension may have to be built.

In October 2003 two senior managers at the hospital were suspended after claims in a BBC television documentary that clinical waste bags were left open near wards.

Reporters who worked undercover at the infirmary in Carlisle found unacceptable hygiene levels and bed shortages.

The Cumberland Infirmary cost �87m to build

It was claimed bags of discarded clinical waste were left in corridors for hours at a time, waiting to be collected by the private company, Interserve, which maintains the hospital.

Interserve admitted mistakes were made.

But Dr Reid said he was confident the people of Cumbria would "get the hospital they deserve".

He added: "In this particular NHS trust we do have some pretty heavy challenges.

"But we have new management in and a new executive team to try and turn the thing around.

"We need to make sure we give the best quality to the people of Carlisle. That is what they deserve."