GOVERNORS and directors said they were determined to turn the hospital around.

They also praised the efforts of staff and insisted that the problems were financial rather than clinical or related to care at the hospital.

Trust chairman Jeffrey Ellwood said: “It is no secret that it has been a tough year for the hospital.

“But there is also much to be positive about and I have every confidence that with the new permanent executive appointments we now have the skills and experience at board level to take this organisation forward and build on the high quality services we provide for our patients.

“I would like to thank all the staff within the organisation for their forbearance during this difficult time and their ongoing commitment and dedication to providing the very best care we can for our patients.

“The board is extremely grateful for their continued support.”

Governors, who include staff, patients and members of the public, attended their latest meeting at the Brownsword Hall in Poundbury.

Trust interim chief executive Sue Sutherland said that the quality of patient care had remained high and a lot had been achieved during the year.

“There is no doubt that despite the difficult fiscal situation the trust’s staff continued to focus on delivering a high quality of care to patients.

“This is evidenced by the fact that in the national patient survey 50.4 per cent of patients rated their care as excellent, compared to 44.3 per cent nationally.

“Furthermore, 92 per cent of patients rated their care as excellent, very good or good compared to 90 per cent nationally, a tremendous achievement given the difficult circumstances.

“The Care Quality Commission gave the hospital unconditional accreditation and the quality of services assessment rated the trust as ‘good’.”