SUFFOLK’S top health boss has announced her resignation today.

After 14 years working in the NHS, chief executive of NHS Suffolk Carole Taylor-Brown told staff this morning that she is leaving her post.

Mrs Taylor-Brown, who conquered breast cancer in 2008, suffered a subsequent serious spinal infection which has left her in persistent and severe pain. Her doctors have advised her to reduce her working commitments to enable her to manage her pain. She will be doing some part-time consultancy work.

Mrs Taylor-Brown has led NHS Suffolk to some major achievements, including eradicating the �35m historic debt, quicker cancer and hospital treatment times, and more dentists and screening services.

Mrs Taylor-Brown, 53, said: “People in Suffolk deserve the very best care and getting the best for people in Suffolk has always been my passion. Staff and health professionals across the NHS in Suffolk are among the most professional and hard-working that I have come across. I have great confidence in them to continue their work to do the very best for people in Suffolk in these challenging financial times.

“This has been a tough decision for me but does give me the opportunity to restructure my life following the advice of my doctors, to have a better balance between my professional commitments and my personal time for rest, exercise and relaxation.”

Chairman Alastair McWhirter said: “The board and I are very sorry to lose her yet understand her decision to leave. We wish her all the very best for the future. She has done a remarkable job here in Suffolk and we look forward to building on that over the next few years.”

Mrs Taylor-Brown will leave NHS Suffolk at the end of September and the NHS shortly afterwards.

For the full story, see the paper for details and the 3pm web update