The chairman of the trust that oversees Watford General and St Albans City hospitals is to stand down.

Mahdi Hasan has announced he is moving to Scotland to be closer to his family and will be standing down as chairman of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust in October.

Mr Hasan has been chair for nearly three years having previously been a non-executive director for seven years.

Mr Hasan said: “I am honoured to have served as Chair of Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals and I will be sad to leave.

“My daughters and granddaughter live in Scotland and my wife and I have decided to move north of the border to be closer to them.

“My term of office as chairman is due to end in October and I will hand over the reins to someone new. “I have huge admiration for all of the doctors, nurses, midwives, porters, cleaners, receptionists and hundreds of other staff who work across our hospitals providing our patients with the best possible care.”

The NHS Trust Development Authority, responsible for the appointment of a chair and non-executive directors of non-foundation trust hospitals, will begin its recruitment process ‘shortly’.

Jac Kelly, Chief Executive said: “I have only worked with Mahdi for a couple of months, but I have been very impressed with his commitment to our hospitals, patients and staff.

“Mahdi will be greatly missed. He is one of the most visible Chairs I have worked with. He spends a lot of time on the wards of our hospitals and is well known amongst our staff.”