Stuart Welling has one of the toughest jobs in Sussex running the main acute hospital services in the Brighton area.

Now, after 13 years at the helm of local hospital trusts, he is to take a well deserved break.

We have often criticised Mr Welling and his team for some of their decisions or for problems patients have encountered.

There have been unacceptably long waits in the accident and emergency department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and rows over where breast cancer treatment should be based.

But no one could doubt the devotion of Mr Welling to the National Health Service and his determination to make improvements.

Multi-million pound buildings at the Royal Sussex, completed amid tremendous difficulties, are the most obvious sign of good things he has helped to achieve.

We wish him well for the future - and good health - after such a strenuous time at the top.