A HEALTH chief is to serve a third term as chairman of an NHS trust which manages the main hospitals in Worcestershire.

Michael O’Riordan has accepted an invitation from the Appointments Commission to serve again as chairman of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, the organisation which manages Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester.

Mr O’Riordan has been chairman since January 2002.

He was reappointed for a further four-year term in November 2005. His latest reappointment takes effect on Sunday, November 1, and will see him serve a final term which ends on October 31 next year.

Mr O’Riordan said: “I am delighted to be able to serve the trust for another year.

"We are maintaining our determined focus on patient safety and quality of care.

"That focus is complementing our continued progress on delivering efficient, sustainable hospital services.

“We are also making real progress towards the successful conclusion of our application to become a foundation trust.”

Chief executive John Rostill welcomed Mr O’Riordan’s reappointment.

He said: “At this crucial point on our Trust’s journey towards becoming a Foundation Trust, continuity of leadership is vital.”