A health chief has become the third to leave the region's NHS in the space of three months after announcing her resignation.

Dr Sue Crossman, chief officer of West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), today announced she has resigned after seven years as the health commissioning lead for West Norfolk.

It follows the resignations of Andy Evans, of Great Yarmouth and Waveney CCG, earlier this month, and Mark Taylor - of North Norfolk CCG in June.

West Norfolk CCG, rated as 'requires improvement' by NHS England, is this year tasked with making savings of £9.8m.

Dr Crossman, who has a clinical nursing backgroun, has worked in the health service in West Norfolk since 1983.

She established the CCG in 2013 following the government's Health and Social Care Act with chairman Ian Mack.

Dr Crossman will leave her post at the end of the calendar year. She will continue to work with the NHS on innovation programmes across England.

'The emergence of clinical commissioning was a most interesting development to lead and the role of chief officer has been both demanding and very fulfilling,' she said.

'Now is the right time for me to move on leaving the CCG in a strong position for a new chief officer to lead it through the next phase of NHS transformation.

'It has been a privilege and a delight to work with a group of such talented and committed people who pull together in a very challenging climate to improve services for the residents of West Norfolk.'

Dr Mack said: 'Sue Crossman has been an exceptional chief officer for West Norfolk CCG with her total commitment to our local NHS in West Norfolk, blending her skills as a nurse with those as an effective and collaborative senior manager.

'She will be greatly missed by all at the CCG. I wish her every success in her future work.'