 The trust is one of Bradford's biggest employers |
The chairman of one of the UK's first foundation hospitals has been removed from his job after millions of pounds worth of debt were run up. On Tuesday Monitor, which regulates NHS foundation trusts, asked John Ryan to step down as head of the trust that runs Bradford Royal Infirmary.
An interim chairman has been appointed, after Monitor used its powers for the first time.
Estimates suggest the trust will run up �11.3m of debts this financial year.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust realised it was running into financial trouble in April but, according to Monitor, did not respond fast enough and lacks a "strategic vision" of how to resolve the crisis.
Peter Garland has been appointed as the trust's interim chairman, as the trust works out how to deal with its problems.
Mr Garland, who lives in Ilkley, is a former NHS regional director in the north of England.
William Moyes, who chairs Monitor, said: "We have concluded that the range of challenges facing the trust requires a change in leadership."
Sue Slipman, director of the Foundation Trust Network, which represents all the NHS trusts granted foundation status, said Bradford was not the only trust to have difficulties and that others had agreed plans with the regulator to boost their performance.
It had proved difficult for trusts to make the transition to running their own affairs after being used to following centralised orders.
She added: "Bradford is clearly an extreme case and Monitor have taken very strong action.
"These are very strong criticisms that are being made of Bradford.
"We all hope is that we can concentrate and focus around a robust recovery plan for Bradford and bring them back within the terms of their authorisation as rapidly as possible."
Although foundation trusts enjoy greater financial freedoms, unlike standard trusts they cannot turn to health authorities to bail them out if they run into trouble.
As well as the Royal Infirmary, the trust runs Bradford's other main hospital, St Luke's and employs 3,600 staff.
On Tuesday evening the board of governors at the trust passed a vote of confidence in their former chairman.
The board now plans to write a formal letter to Monitor requesting its chairman visits Bradford to dicuss the situation face-to-face and explain the reasons behind the decision.
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These are very strong criticisms that are being made of Bradford. 
