TRIBUTES have been paid to the former general manager of Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Frank Goss took over at the hospital in 1965 and went on to ‘transform it’ with his expertise.

His widow Karin Goss said that her husband, who died on July 28, will always be remembered for his dedication to the hospital.

Mrs Goss said: “During his time at the Royal, Frank made many changes.

“One of them was to remove all the open fireplaces from the wards for which buckets of coal had to be carried upstairs.

“He had very high standards, and expected the same from his staff.

“He always made sure he was both their sword and their shield.

“He became known as Mr Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

“He said it was his hospital, and his staff, and woe betide anyone who didn’t understand this, especially when different governments brought in this change and that change.”

Frank took over at the hospital on January 1, 1965.

His wife said that one of the consultants who worked at the hospital at that time, Merton Seigleman, had a vision to set up a hospice for the people of East Lancashire, but did not know how to go about it.

Frank advised him to go public with his idea, and the rest is history, with the foundation of the East Lancashire Hospice.

Frank became deputy chairman of the hospice and served as a trustee for several years.

Frank was also chairman of Darwen Labour party for several years.

He was also treasurer of Citizens Advice in Clitheroe, a borough councillor in the Ribble Valley, chairman of the local parish council, and a school governor at St Mary’s Roman Catholic School in Sabden.

He joined the committee of the local Age Concern and the bowling club.

Mrs Goss added: “Frank was a popular man and dedicated his life to the different organisations and he loved it.

“He will be missed by many.”

Kevin McGee, chief executive of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are truly sorry to hear of Mr Goss’s passing, and we offer our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

“While I didn’t know him personally, I have no doubt that we shared the same commitment to our health service.

“Mr Goss was clearly a great ambassador for the NHS and its principles, and we are very proud of his contribution as general manager at the former Blackburn Royal Infirmary.”