A HEALTH chief with more than 30 years' experience in the NHS has taken over the hot seat at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Graham Smith has been appointed as the interim chief executive of the Trust following the resignation of Ruth Harrison last week.

Mr Smith will take up the post from Monday, March 3.

He will remain in the job until a permanent appointment is found later this year.

He has worked in the NHS for more than three decades at hospital, health authority and regional level in England and Wales.

His last full-time chief executive post was at Birmingham's City Hospital, from where he was seconded to be regional director of performance for the West Midlands regional office.

In the past year, he has undertaken key tasks for the Department of Health and Social Care - Midlands and East England.

He is currently assistant chief executive at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow, Middlesex.

Mr Smith will assume part of the responsibility for clearing the Trust's debts, which could top £6m by the end of the financial year.

Ms Harrison is leaving to take up a new challenge, taking forward the merger of Stoke Mandeville NHS Trust and South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust.

Trust chairman Michael O'Riordan said he was delighted Mr Smith was joining them.

"He is a highly respected NHS manager, with a wealth of experience at the highest level in a wide range of challenging roles," he said.

"His grasp of the complex issues facing the NHS, coupled with his undoubted leadership and staff management abilities, make him an ideal candidate to take our Trust forward through the coming months."

Mr Smith also expressed his delight at joining the organisation to share in its opportunities and challenges.

"I aim to get up to speed quickly and will be out and about in all three hospitals, meeting staff and talking to patients," he said.

"I shall also be seeking to work closely with colleagues in PCTs and the West Midlands South Health Authority."