AN INCREASED deficit of £13million and ongoing financial underperformance have resulted in the Isle of Wight NHS Trust being put into special measures.

NHS Improvement announced today (Thursday) that the trust had not been able to sufficiently explain the deterioration or how the multi-million increase in debt will be addressed.

Health bosses at the hospital will now receive focused support from NHS bodies which will include the appointment of a financial improvement director and a review of the trust's cost improvement programme.

Anne Eden, regional director for NHS Improvement and NHS England, said the current financial position at the trust was not sustainable and that high quality care and financial grip went hand in hand.

Chief executive of the trust, Maggie Oldham, said part of the problem was due to the specific costs related to being an Island, such as the difficulty of recruiting enough permanent staff.

She added: "Working with NHS Improvement will provide us with additional focus and support to ensure that our clinical services are also financially sustainable."