THE former boss of Poole Hospital is at the centre of a probe into mistakes at a Hertfordshire hospital.

Jan Filochowski, chief executive at Poole from 1989 until the late 1990s, was in charge at the West Hertfordshire NHS Trust when more than 800 patients suspected of having cancer were discharged from hospital by mistake.

At least two of the patients have since died and a further 121 may have suffered life-threatening delays in diagnosis or treatment. Mr Filochowski was the boss at the time, then moved to Great Ormond Street in London. He left the National Health Service in December.

A review is currently underway at the Hertfordshire hospital and Mr Filochowski has declined to comment.