By Craig RobinsonA HEALTH authority is searching for a new chief executive this morning after its current head suddenly resigned. Peter Houghton, chief executive of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority, will leave on May 9 to take up a national role at the Department of Health.

By Craig Robinson

A HEALTH authority is searching for a new chief executive this morning after its current head suddenly resigned.

Peter Houghton, chief executive of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority, will leave on May 9 to take up a national role at the Department of Health.

In a letter of resignation addressed to his colleagues, Mr Houghton said he had accepted the post, as director of the new national leadership network for health and social care, after “much reflection.”

He added the network would bring together more than 100 leaders from a broad range of organisations nationwide and would have a critical role in taking forward the work set out in the Government paper, Creating a Patient led NHS.

Mr Houghton's letter continued: “I am delighted to be taking up this opportunity at such am important time for the NHS and am enthusiastic about the new and very different challenges it presents.

“Because of the need to establish the network and its programme of work with some urgency, I will be starting my new role on Monday May 9.

“Keith Pearson, the strategic health authority chairman, will be in discussion with the board and the Department of Health in order to ensure no loss of momentum in progressing our agenda and to set in train the process for securing my successor.”

It added: “As many of you know, I have worked in the East Anglian area for some 20 years and in a variety of senior roles. I consider it to be my second home.

“During those years I have had the privilege to work with many talented and committed people, many of whom I count amongst my friends. Thanks to their efforts, services have improved considerably and people enjoy better health than ever before.

“Please accept my heartfelt thanks for the personal commitment and support you have given me and for your open and honest feedback and advice over the years. I wish you every success in the months and years ahead.”

A health authority spokesman said last night that Mr Houghton's move was a “perfectly natural transition.”

He added: “Mr Houghton has left to take up a position at national level in the Department of Health. He will remain as chief executive until that time, when the board will consider the options and look for an appropriate replacement.”

craig.robinson@eadt.co.uk