MANAGERS at York Hospital have been shortlisted to run failing NHS trusts, the Government announced today.
The hospital was named on a Department of Health "register of experts" after scoring top marks in the Government's star rating system earlier this year.
The first three hospitals which could benefit from the Trust's advice are the Royal United Hospital, in Bath; the Good Hope Hospital, in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, and Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Health Secretary Alan Milburn said these trusts would be stripped of their franchise early next year after failing to improve on "zero star" ratings.
The new managerial team for the three hospitals will be chosen from a 70-strong "register of experts".
It includes all 62 NHS trusts with three-star status - including York Health Services NHS Trust - a strategic health authority and, most controversially, eight private health companies.
All 70 names on the register will be invited to tender for the franchises early in the New Year, along with an interim management team at Bath.
York's three-star status has also given it the chance to bid for foundation hospital status, with freedom from Whitehall control.
Updated: 11:50 Friday, December 20, 2002
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