Good Hope's chairman quits

Jul 28 2006

THE chairman of a troubled Birmingham hospital has resigned.

Graham Comfort has announced he will leave Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield, at the end of this week to take up a job as chief executive of a private property services company outside the West Midlands.

His resignation comes as the debt-ridden hospital prepares to merge with Heart of England Trust, which runs Heartlands Hospital and Solihull Hospital.

Mr Comfort said he had chosen to leave although he would have liked to have been involved in the completion of the merger.

"Attempting to carry on doing both jobs for a period of time would not be the best option for the trust, given the commitment both roles require.

"My overriding objective when I became chairman was to ensure Good Hope has a secure future and can continue to provide its high quality services.We have developed plans that have the best chance of giving it a viable future."

Mr Comfort, a former partner at business consultants Deloitte & Touche, was appointed chairman in February 2004.

His deputy, Nicola Lloyd, steps in.

* Have your say on this story at www.birminghammail.net/news/yoursay