EXCLUSIVE by Kathryn Eccles, Health Correspondent: ANGRY medical staff have claimed that the chief executive of the Royal Bolton Hospital has been made a scapegoat for the hospital's failings.

John Brunt has formally taken early retirement after 10 years in the role.

But, as news of his departure emerged, colleagues claimed his decision to leave had been forced on him after an investigation revealed that the hospital's waiting list figures had been fiddled.

Mr Brunt was cleared of any wrongdoing in the row but staff say he has had to "carry the can".

The investigation was mounted after a spot check by the Audit Commission in November, 2003, revealed that 83 patients had been waiting 12 months or more for minor operations.

The hospital had reported that no-one was waiting. Mr Brunt, aged 51, went off sick four months later. He did not return to work.

Tony Banks, an orthopaedic surgeon, said: "John has had to have appraisals and assessments like the rest of us which he has passed with flying colours.

"His departure has come as a bolt out of the blue. We all feel he has been made a scapegoat for inadequate funding at the hospital.

"It is clear to all and sundry that we are not getting funding or the support we need and John, we feel, has been left in the middle of this impossible situation.

"I know the guy coming in is very capable but we can't believe he will be coming without insisting on conditions about funding.

He added: "We all feel that has had to carry the can."

Mr Brunt has sent a letter to friends and colleagues at the hospital in the wake of the announcement.

In the letter he says: "I am very privileged to have spent 18 of my 30 years NHS service in Bolton. During that time we have been fortunate to establish many lasting bonds of friendship, trust and commitment which have enabled us to work together to achieve our common vision of improving and extending the range of services available locally to our patients."

Chairman of the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust Peter Liptrott said: "Over the years John has made a major contribution to hospital care for local patients. He also earned the respect and friendship of his many colleagues in all parts of the health service."

Mr Brunt's successor is David Fillingham, director of the Modernisation Agency at the Department of Health. He will take up his post next month. David Bisset, chairman of the Royal Bolton Medical Staff Committee, said: "John is well-liked and much respected and has led us through all the many changes and reforms of the past years.

"I believe it is now time to move on and face the future. I was a member of the panel that appointed Mr David Fillingham as our new chief executive and believe that this is an excellent appointment and that he will build on John Brunt's good work.

"Mr Fillingham will, however, face all the same constraints, including issues of funding, emergency workload and Government targets. We look forward to working with him in the near future."