THE chairman of the troubled Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has announced she is stepping down at the end of April.

Caragh Merrick, who lives in Worcester, was appointed to the post in September 2016.

Her appointment followed the resignation of former chairman Harry Turner in March of that year.

On taking up the role, Mrs Merrick, a chartered accountant, said she aimed to see the much-maligned hospitals trust rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) over the next four years.

The previous year, the CQC presented a damning report of the trust’s three acute hospitals – placing Worcestershire Royal into special measures, which it is still in.

This week, she 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 current deputy chairman, will step up until a new chairman is appointed.

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.”

In January, the CQC issued its latest report on the trust, which did not change its overall inadequate rating but found areas of improvement.