Norfolk's biggest health trust has made its medical director a permanent appointment.

Peter Chapman, who has worked at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) for 20 years, will stay in his role indefinitely after taking up the interim post in April last year.

He said: 'I am very pleased to have been appointed to the role.

'It is a privilege to work here as part of a team which is so dedicated to the quality of care that we provide to our patients. 'I see fantastic examples of our high quality care across our departments every day and a real commitment to research and the development of innovative treatments for our patients.'

Mr Chapman is an orthopaedic hand surgeon based at the N&N after joining as a consultant in 1996.

He became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1989, followed by an intercollegiate fellowship in orthopaedics in 1994.

Mark Davies, chief executive of NNUH, said: 'Peter has shown enormous strengths and real dedication in the role of medical director.

'I am extremely pleased that he is continuing in the role - this is great news for the trust.'

John Fry, chairman of the trust, said: 'He brings strong clinical leadership to the role which is vitally important in the success of the Trust.'