A NEW non-executive director is joining the board of the troubled hospital trust which manages Kidderminster Hospital.

Anita Day is a chartered accountant, executive leader and business coach, with an international strategy consulting background.

Ms Day, who was brought up and went to school in Worcestershire and is a regular guest on local political TV shows, is currently working for IBM Global Business Services.

She said: “I am delighted and honoured to be asked to serve the people of Worcestershire by joining the board.

"My parents were both regularly cared for by staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital until their deaths, and I have great memories of the excellent care that they received.

"These are challenging times for the NHS, and I am looking forward to working with staff across all sites to deliver the best service possible for local people.”

Sir David Nicholson, chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said that Anita is a welcome addition to the board.

Anita Day’s term of office runs from August 1 2018 until July 31 2020.

She is entitled to receive a remuneration of £6,157 per year.

This paper recently reported how the cash strapped trust came under fire after it emerged it paid a hospital boss a six figure sum, despite him being off work for three years.

Stewart Messer had been absent from his role as chief operating officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT) since May 2015 - but has been paid more than £660,000 since then, including an exit package of more than £200,000.

He left the trust in February.

The hospital trust has also had to fork out around £500,000 on three interim directors to cover his absence.