The private provider at the first NHS hospital to be taken over by a private sector firm have set out their vision to turn around its fortunes.

Circle will today officially start managing the debt-ridden Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire.

The contract was signed in November following a 13-month procurement period as Circle came up against competition from 19 initial bidders.

A spokesman said staff from Circle and Hinchingbrooke had been working closely to plan for the hospital’s future, and today they published their plan for its transformation.

More than 1,200 of the 1,700-strong workforce attended one of 17 four-hour “partnership sessions”, to have an input into the plan.

Four priorities have been set: patient safety, patient experience, staff engagement and value for money.

Chief executive Ali Parsa said: “Today, an ambitious programme will be unveiled - to turn a hospital once labelled as ‘a basket case’ into one of the top 10 in the country.

“The plan came together in unprecedented sessions with 1,200 NHS staff, who gathered to share their vision for their hospital’s transformation.

“Like John Lewis, Circle are employee co-owned, and have a track record of creating best-in-class hospitals by devolving power to the clinicians and staff who are closest to patients.

“We are confident that we can do it again in Hinchingbrooke.”

Dr Stephen Dunn, director of policy and strategy at NHS Midlands and East, said the challenges facing the NHS meant “new solutions” were needed.

“Without this franchise, the future of Hinchingbrooke could have been uncertain,” he added.

“We are not privatising, we are bringing in new management. The hospital can plan a future where its staff and assets remain within the NHS, energised by the innovation which its new partner will bring.”

Circle operates under a partnership model, where staff ranging from consultants to cleaners are co-owners in the business.

Nigel Beverley, Hinchingbrooke Health Care Trust’s chief executive, said: “Patients can be assured that the quality of their care remains our top priority and we can now look forward to building a bright future for Hinchingbrooke.”

The company is the first non-state provider to take over an entire hospital.

While private sector firms already operate units within the NHS - such as hip replacement centres - Circle will become the first to deliver a full range of NHS district general hospital services.

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