A BIG name in the boardroom has retired after more than 50 years of distinguished public service.

David Priestnall, a former vice chairman of NHS Worcestershire, is retiring after what colleagues call "a distinguished career in public service".

Mr Priestnall has held a number of senior positions in a range of public sector bodies, including more recently within Worcestershire's NHS.

He was chairman and deputy chairman of the Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust and the Primary Care Trust in Worcestershire respectively.

Since 2011 he has been a non-executive director of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust which runs five community hospitals in the county and is responsible for the majority of community and mental health care.

Mr Priestnall said: “I have spent 14 years working with NHS organisations in the county in numerous roles and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to do so.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a board member of Worcestershire Health and Care Trust.

"Since I started, the trust has undergone some major changes but throughout these changes the people who work there have remained true to their roots and remained passionate about providing the highest quality of care to people.

“I feel that the trust has grown and prospered and because of its work community care is now at the forefront of the NHS locally. Financially the trust is very well managed which has led to a surplus this year. I am very proud to have been part of that."

He intends to spend more time on the two charities he chairs in Churchill and Blakedown and is am also looking forward to playing more golf and spending time with his growing family which now includes five grandchildren.

Chris Burdon, chairman of Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said: “It has been an honour to work with David over the last four years. He has dedicated so much of his time to help improve the health services available to those in the county."