Board members quit Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust

All the non-executive directors at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, which runs Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury hospitals, have stepped down from their positions on the board.

The departure of Anita Fatchett, David Longstaff, Margaret Faull and Iain Wilkinson was confirmed yesterday (Tuesday).

Mid Yorkshire said in a statement: “The non-executive Directors felt unable to remain in office after considering the continuing impact of the poor financial performance of the trust in 2011-12.”

The trust, which is forecast to be £26m in deficit at the end of this financial year, is considering controversial changes to its services to balance the books.

Mid Yorkshire has admitted the cash crisis could make it difficult to become a Foundation Trust, an elite status required by the government, by 2014 as previously agreed.

It must now replace the non-executives under NHS rules.

David Stone, the trust’s interim chairman, said: “My non-executive colleagues have taken this decision in the best interests of the trust and I respect the integrity they have shown in taking this action.

“In accepting the immediate resignation of the four non-executive directors currently in post, I would like to acknowledge the time and commitment each of them has given to the trust, some of them over many years.”