YORK Hospital has re-advertised for a chief executive in an ongoing search for a permanent boss which has so far taken eight months.

The trust has circulated an advert seeking a replacement for former chief executive Patrick Crowley, who stepped down soon after announcing his retirement last May.

Despite a lengthy recruitment process, an interview panel in September was not able to find a suitable candidate “who fits exactly with the needs of our trust and our wider health economy" and said they would resume the search.

At the time a source told The Press that doctors were concerned about the delays and felt they were being kept in the dark about the process.

Now the search continues with the job advert seeking "an outstanding individual who will bring visible, inspirational leadership" and "substantial experience at a very senior level of a complex healthcare organisation".

It reads: "You will need to bring great passion for the NHS (plus the ability to quickly develop a passion for this Trust), reserves of personal energy for the challenges ahead, a tenacious spirit and a desire to do the right thing, and a personal ambition to provide truly exceptional leadership. In return you will work with a highly professional and skilled team of people at all levels".

The salary is advertised as competitive, with Mr Crowley having been paid an employment package, including pension related benefits, of around £230,000 a year.

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs about 9000 people over an area covering 3400 square metres.

As with other NHS trusts across the country, it has faced significant financial problems and requirements to save many millions of pounds.

Mr Crowley had spoken openly about the financial challenges facing the NHS.

In 2017 when the trust faced mounting saving requirements, he told an annual meeting that the trust was not meeting a range of targets and it was the “most depleted scorecard” he had ever presented to an AGM.

The hospital trust ended the last financial year with a £20.1 million deficit.

Deputy chief executive Mike Proctor, who is currently acting as an interim chief executive, wrote in the trust's annual report in May: "Last year was, without a doubt, the most financially challenging in our history, and we cannot ignore that fact that we ended the year adrift of our original planned deficit of £9m, missing out on sustainability funding as a result."

But he added more positively: "We continue to promote a genuine sense of partnership, development and community responsibility, despite the pressures we face."