-Super hospital' boss retires early with glowing tributes

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 has since overseen work starting on the high-tech Dryburn Hospital in Durham City under a private finance initiative.

He has also seen controversial plans to move many services from Shotley Bridge Hospital, near 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.

"Having achieved the objectives that I faced when I joined the trust, I feel that the time is now right to make way for a new chief executive.

"The new chief executive has time to take charge of the final stages of the move to the new hospital.'' 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 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.''

County Durham and Darlington Health Authority chief executive Ken Jarrold said: "Bill has made a vital contribution to health care in North Durham.

"He has worked to restore financial control, merge services and deliver the new hospital, which will make an enormous difference to health services in North Durham.''

The trust will advertise nationally for a new chief executive.