THE boss of Whiston Hospital has been drafted in to steady the ship at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust after four senior managers were suspended.

Chief executive Jonathan Parry has been "excluded" by Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust and three members of his management team have been suspended while an internal investigation now takes place into the three separate complaints. It follows an independent probe into whistleblowing complaints.

None of the complaints are said to relate to issues of patient care or safety.

The other suspended members of staff are the trust's chief operating officer, human resources director and deputy director of performance.

The trust, which runs Southport and Formby District General Hospital and Ormskirk and District Hospital, said the exclusions were unanimously agreed by its board

Ann Marr, chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, is to help an executive management team with the day-to-day running of the trust.

Sue Musson, chair of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said: "In response to the three whistleblowing complaints made to the Trust and the subsequent independent external investigation by the Good Governance Institute it has been necessary to exclude three senior executives and one other employee.

"I want to stress to our patients, their families and the public that no aspect of the complaints, the investigation that has taken place and the exclusion of the four employees are related to issues of patient care or patient safety.

"This action will not affect the healthcare services provided by the Trust to our patients.

"An internal investigation will now begin in line with our disciplinary policy."

Ms Marr will continue her day-today management duties at Whiston and St Helens hospitals.