A NEW chairman has been appointed to Preston Acute NHS Hospital Trust after Carolyn Johnson's three-year contract came to an end and was not renewed.

She is to be replaced by Brian Booth, who recently announced his retirement as vice-chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire.

Mr Booth, a non-executive director of the trust since 1993, takes up the post this week.

He said: "I feel very positive. We have very dedicated staff and superb hospitals in Preston and to be part of further developments is marvellous."

Chief executive of the Preston trust Steve Ashcroft said: "I'm very pleased Brian Booth has been appointed chairman as he has been involved with the trust since its inception which amounts to a measure of continuity and stability."

But the move to replace Mrs Johnson, a known Tory sympathiser, has sent waves of anger through many hospitals

According to reports in the national press, many health chiefs believe Health Secretary Frank Dobson was acting politically.

Mr Booth said he had, at the time of his application, declared he had never been a member of a political party. He praised the work of Mrs Johnson.

Steve Ashcroft said of his former colleague: "Carolyn Johnson was an extremely interactive advocate for the trust, doing herself proud. As chair she made many friends within the trust and in the wider NHS."

Mrs Johnson, mother-of-five, this week went back to her former profession and is working as a barrister in Preston.

Her colleague, non-executive director Sue McDonald, also failed to have her contract renewed.

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