THE man who is overseeing the creation of a super-hospital for Durham has announced plans to retire.
North Durham Health Care Trust chief executive Bill Worth, 54, will take early retirement next year after 37 years in the NHS.
Mr Worth joined the trust in January 1997 and since then work has started on the high-tech new Dryburn Hospital in Durham - under a private finance initiative - which is due to open next year.
He also oversaw controversial plans to move many services from Shotley Bridge Hospital, Consett, to Durham.
He said: "I feel very fortunate and proud to have been part of what has been achieved in North Durham. I have worked with many excellent people at all levels of the organisation. Their dedication and professionalism has carried the organisation through much changes."
Trust chairman Kevin Earley said: "Much has been achieved under Bill's leadership since he joined the trust in January 1997.
"Bill had the difficult job of merging community services with the acute trust as well as overseeing the work on the new hospital at Dryburn and the £8m spent on Shotley Bridge, the hospital where he started his management training.
"Savings close to £9m have been found to help fund the new hospital and a major equipment replacement programme has been finalised. National targets have been achieved and there have been many service improvements. The trust board accepts Bill's decision to retire early and wishes him well in the future."
The trust plans to advertise nationally for a replacement
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article