Hospital chief to leave position

The chief executive of West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds is leaving the trust next year to take up a new post with Poole Hospital, Dorset.

Chris Bown, who joined West Suffolk Hospital in September 2004, will leave in March 2010.

Work to appoint his successor will begin immediately.

During the past five years, Mr Bown has steered the trust to financial stability and reduced waiting times, the trust said.

Roger Quince, chairman of West Suffolk Hospital, said: "Chris has been instrumental in helping the hospital achieve so much over the past five years and for that we are extremely grateful.

"His appointment as chief executive in Poole is a testament to this.

"Under Chris' leadership, we have taken great strides towards achieving Foundation Trust status."