BURY Health Care NHS Trust is to have a new chairman after the Government refused to reappoint John Bradley.

Mr Bradley, who will give up his post when his four-year term ends next month, said he is saddened by the decision.

"I did not resign and wanted to continue," stressed Mr Bradley. "I am very disappointed. I believe that if you start a job you must finish it. I am saddened that I have not been allowed to see through the great work the trust has carried out with the new hospital and various other projects."

The 64-year-old clinician was notified of the decision in a letter by Health Secretary Frank Dobson last month. The reasons for the move were not made clear to Mr Bradley but he stressed that opposition against reappointing him did not come from the trust board members responsible for running local hospitals.

"It is a much wider concept. I do not know the reasons for not being reselected but I believe it is from within wider circles," said Mr Bradley. Mr Bradley was a clinician at Bury hospitals for more than 30 years and feels one of the reasons for the decision is because he does not live or work in the area. "I have worked in Bury and have family here but I think because I do not live in the area that is just one of many reasons," explained Mr Bradley.

Mr Phillip Bacon, trust chief executive, said: "We are very sad to lose Mr Bradley. He has the absolute support of the board."

Mr Bradley's successor, former Prestwich councillor David Ryder, says he is looking forward to the challenge.

"It came as a great surprise to me. But this is a job you cannot say no to. I am very honoured and delighted."

He added: "The trust has been very successful and I hope to build on that. The onus is on me to make sure my contribution makes a difference to them."

Mr Ryder, of Craigwell Road, Prestwich, who stood down from the council earlier this year because of work commitments, says is hoping to forge closer links with the trust and council.

A spokesperson for the NHS Regional office said: "Mr Dobson would have considered all the names put forward for the job. He and his advisors would have chosen who they considered to be the strongest candidate."

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