A HOSPITAL boss has announced that he will take on the chief executive role at two health trusts.

The announcement means Kevin McGee will be chief executive and accountable officer of both East Lancashire Hospitals Trust and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr McGee had originally taken on the interim role at the Blackpool trust in April this year, replacing the retiring chief executive Wendy Swift.

He had only been expected to stay at the Blackpool trust on a short-term basis while it looked to recruit to the post full time.

But he has now revealed he will take on the role permanently with both trusts agreeing to work in 'closer collaboration' with each other.

ELHT said that Mr McGee will be devoting the same amount of time to both trusts and that he will get a single salary. 

They also said that both trusts will not merge. 

However they would not reveal how many days Mr McGee will work at each trust and what his actual salary will be. 

Dr Damian Riley, ELHT's medical director, has been acting chief executive over the summer, though Mr McGee has remained as the senior accountable officer.

The Blackpool trust is at the centre of a major police investigation into the suspected poisoning of patients on the stroke unit.

Mr McGee said: “I'm delighted to be appointed to this role and excited at the prospect of carrying on leading both trusts on their continuing improvement journeys at what is undoubtedly a challenging time for everyone working in the NHS.

"Both trusts have much to commend them, especially the staff - who are all among the best I've ever worked with.

"I am totally committed to ensuring that the people of Fylde Coast and East Lancashire have access to the best services possible, in the most appropriate place, provided by the NHS.

"I'd like to thank my executive colleagues, senior teams, the members of both boards and governors at Blackpool for their support and confidence.”

Pearse Butler, chairman of the Blackpool trust, said: “We are really pleased to have secured the services of Kevin McGee on an ongoing basis, having failed to find the right person in an extensive recruitment process.

"Kevin has a great reputation for success and is a champion of the people who are most important in ensuring effective and compassionate care for our patients - and the staff. "