THE sky really is the limit' for Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust according to its chief executive Martin Wakeley speaking at its annual meeting last week.

Mr Wakeley was employed by the trust just over a year ago and within that time he has stood by plans to radically change local health care.

"I have been here for just over 12 months and I'm so proud of the things Winchester and Eastleigh is starting to deliver for its patients," he said at the annual meeting in Andover Guildhall.

"The board appointed me knowing I'm an impatient man.

"We know there are some things we don't do very well. But there are many things we are doing exceptionally well and in some areas we are best in the class. We are trying to ensure that patients in our hospitals get the very best of care.

"There's further to go but our statement of what we have achieved in the last 12 months provides me with the confidence that the sky really is the limit."

He also spoke about new initiatives which have been put in place to make life for patients being treated at both hospitals easier. "We have some fantastic support from Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council because there was a real issue about people moving between Winchester and Andover for treatment," he said.

"We've set up a free bus service and I'm also delighted that around 500 people per month are using that to go between the two hospital sites."