MODERNISATION is on the cards at York Hospital, says the new man at its helm.

Jim Easton, 39, told the Evening Press that many managers "would give their right arm" for staff of the calibre that had helped York Hospital achieve three star status for two years running.

But the former director of development in the Directorate of Health and Social Care (North) said many challenges remained, including tackling higher admission rates, bed blocking and cleanliness.

He said: "I was really impressed when applying for the job with the quality of medical, nursing and support staff with a strong commitment to deliver high-quality services."

Mr Easton, who has 16 years of experience in the NHS, said a question mark still remained over whether York would apply for Foundation Hospital status.

He said trustees would only back the application, which would give York Hospital more political independence and financial self-control, if it was seen to be in the interest of the York community.

"There's no doubt we will be encouraged to look at it very early on. The trustees, staff, patients and public need to talk about it and what it means for us.

"The trust will want to know what difference it makes for the people we serve and if we see positive benefits, we will be talking to the local community," he said.

York Hospital has recently seen a multi-million pound investment in a new ophthalmology department, reception area and shops. Up to £4 million will also be spent on updating the ear, nose and throat facilities.

Mr Easton said he would be examining the long and short-term care of those admitted through accident and emergency, as well as elderly and vulnerable people who may be suffering infectious diseases, such as the Norwalk virus.

He said the rising number of such admissions was putting "tremendous pressure" on the system and managers would be looking at increasing capacity and improving practices.

"The reality is that we have parts of the hospital that represent the best in modern health care and parts that are not as we would want them to be," he said.

"We need to continue the process to get capacity and physical facilities to as high a standard as possible."

Mr Easton replaces Simon Pleydell, 44, who has returned to South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, where he was previously director of planning, to take up the post of chief executive.

Mr Pleydell said: "I have enormous confidence in the team in York and in my successor, Jim Easton.

"Whatever the challenges are in the future, the teamwork of all the staff in the York trust will help him to address them."

Updated: 11:20 Wednesday, September 03, 2003