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The new interim chief executive of a hospital in Cambridgeshire being transferred to a private company has outlined his priorities.

Hinchingbrooke Hospital's management team will be led by Nigel Beverley.

He hopes contracts will be exchanged soon but said the Department of Health still had not released it to become the first NHS hospital run by a company.

He said top of the list of priorities was to keep the hospital providing top quality services.

"We have to keep a focus on the money as well to make sure it does not go astray," Mr Beverley said.

"But most important is to support staff during the changes attached to the transfer of the hospital.

"The approval processes are taking longer than anticipated.

"But we expect the deal to be signed in a matter of weeks rather than months."