THE chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is to continue in the £21,882 a year post for another four years.

Michael O'Riordan, who took up the position in January, 2002, has accepted an invitation to serve a further term, taking him up to October, 2009.

A quantity surveyor by profession, he first went into the health service as chairman of Sandwell Health Authority in 1994. He has chaired several companies, most recently AMEC Developments, Midlands region.

He said: "In my first term as chairman I saw the successful transfer of services to the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the redevelopment and opening of the Kidderminster Treatment Centre and a raft of new developments at the Alexandra Hospital, including the new MRI unit.

"I feel very privileged to have played a part in these exciting developments to improve healthcare for the people of Worcestershire.

"The next few years promise to be even more exciting and challenging as we move towards foundation trust status and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to continue serving this trust.

"Real progress is now being made to find a long-term solution to our financial challenges.

"At the same time, we are pressing ahead with further improvements to our facilities and services which will benefit our patients and staff," he added.