THE chairman of the trust that oversees Kidderminster hospital has resigned less than two years after taking on the role.

Caragh Merrick this week announced her decision to step down from her position with Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust with effect from April 30.

Bosses today said she has stabilised the board and helped begin the process of building an “effective senior leadership team” at the trust.

She was appointed to the £40,000-a-year role in September 2016 with the beleaguered trust having been placed in special measures following damning CQC reports into Kidderminster, Worcestershire Royal and Redditch Alexandra Hospitals.

At the time of her appointment, she talked about her ambition to see the body rated as outstanding in “four years’ time”.

But just 19 months into her chairmanship, Mrs Merrick said: “While there is still a long way to go, I believe that the trust has begun its improvement journey.

“Having laid the foundations, I feel the time is right for a new Chairman to take over and lead the Board in meeting the challenges ahead.”

Mark Yates, the Trust’s current Deputy Chairman, will step up until a new Chairman is appointed.

The Trust’s Chief Executive, Michelle McKay, said: “On behalf of the board and staff across our hospitals, I would like to thank Caragh for her inspiring leadership and her passion and commitment to local hospital services and the wider community of Worcestershire.

“I would also like to thank her personally for the support she has given me since I joined the Trust.

“We wish her all the very best for the future.

“I am also very grateful to Mark Yates for stepping up to the role of Chairman while Caragh’s successor is appointed.”

The appointment of a new chairman will be overseen by NHS Improvement (NHSI), the body which oversees NHS Trusts.