Norfolk's largest hospital is close to appointing its new chief executive with the hunt having attracted several applications.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been searching for a new chief executive officer since the departure of Sam Higginson earlier this year.

Since early August, Nick Hulme has been at the helm of the hospital on a temporary basis - while simultaneously holding the same role at neighbouring East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

But the trust's board meeting heard the search for a permanent replacement is approaching an end, with hopes of making an appointment in the coming weeks.

Tom Spink, chairman of the board at the N&N, said: "We have a number of very strong candidates and expect to be able to make a formal appointment by the end of November at the latest.

"Fingers crossed we will then be able to have a very smooth handover from Nick."

Mr Higginson vacated the role earlier this year having been in post since October 2019 - leaving to take up a national role at NHS England.