A NEW medical director has been appointed at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Dr Damian Riley took over the role earlier this month, just weeks after there were calls for the NHS Trust to hold an inquiry into why it was £22million in the red.

He is used to high-profile jobs, having led the review into children’s cardiac services in Leeds over concerns about higher than average death rates last year and he also co-chaired two Keogh reviews into mortality rates.

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“I am delighted to be joining East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. I have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome I have received from all the hard working staff in the Trust.

“The NHS faces challenges going forward but there are also many opportunities in East Lancashire to continue to develop new and efficient services, working closely with our partners including CCGs and the social care services. I look forward to working with staff, patients and public as the Trust goes from strength to strength,” Dr Riley said.

He studied Medicine at the University of Manchester and also has 20 years of experience as a GP. He was previously NHS England Regional Medical Director for the north of England where he championed improvements in dementia, stroke and cancer care for patients.

Dr Riley also has significant experience within primary care and as Medical Director for all West Yorkshire PCTs, he helped lead the turnaround programme for West Yorkshire urgent care, led the service redesign programme for diabetes care in Leeds, and was the clinical lead during the establishment of NHS 111 services in Yorkshire and Humber.

Russ McLean, chair of Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group said: “I would like to congratulate him as he is very experienced and hands on which is a good thing for the patients. I think it’s good news all round and good for staff to have a good solid leadership.”

Dr Riley took up his new post in East Lancashire on July 1.

Meanwhile, Joe Slater, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group, is standing down from the role this summer.