The chairman of an NHS group in Great Yarmouth and Waveney has announced he is stepping down.

John Stammers has been at the helm of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) since it was formed in 2013.

During that time, he has been responsible for offering clinical leadership to the governing body, helping to decide its future direction and making sure the views of patients and the public are heard.

He informed the CCG's governing body of his decision during a private meeting in September. He will stand down this week so that he can concentrate on his clinical work and practice developments at Sole Bay Health Centre, in Southwold, where he has been a partner for 15 years.

The CCG has started the process of appointing a replacement and hopes to make an announcement in the next few weeks.

Dr Stammers said: 'It has been a privilege to serve as chairman over the last four-and-a-half years. The CCG is now moving forward apace under Melanie Craig's stewardship, and I feel it is the ideal time for a new chair to be appointed to guide the CCG through the coming years.

'The CCG has some excellent, talented staff and I wish them every future success in leading the design of services for local people.'

Melanie Craig, chief officer with the CCG, said: 'We are grateful to John for the enormous contribution he has made to the CCG over the past few years. His clinical leadership has proved invaluable in driving forward new developments for our patients.

'We would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work and wish him all the best for the future.'