Private company claims Hinchinbrooke Hospital is back on track - but debt is still there

The private company which stepped in to run a failing Cambridgeshire hospital says it is now back on track and offering a high standard of care.

Just over two years ago Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon was struggling under the weight of a £40m debt and shedding staff.

The government decided the best option was to bring in a private sector company to turn it around.

Now Circle, which runs the NHS trust, says it has achieved that and staff and patients are reaping the benefits.

But not everyone is convince.

Union Unison has been vocal in its opposition to the use of a private sector company running a hospital and has questioned whether Circle's plans for the trust are financially sustainable.

Phil Green, of Unison, said the company had so far failed to do anything about the hospital's debt.

Circle insists it is in it for the long haul and has plans in place which will see them clearing the deficit.

But chief operating officer Cara Charles-Barks admits that will not be a quick process.

The company now hopes it will become a model for other hospital trusts in the future.

Russell Hookey reports.