The chief executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Lezli Boswell is to retire.

Inn a letter to staff, Ms Boswell said she had told the trust's chairman, Angela Ballatti, several months ago that it was her intention to go, as ait "feels like the right time after 14 years as an NHS Chief Executive, over eight years of which have been here in Cornwall".

She will continue as chief executive to "ensure a smooth handover to my deputy, Andrew MacCallum as the acting chief executive by November 2014 and support the formal process for a new permanent chief executive".

Ms Boswell: "The trust has seen many changes in recent years and will need to continue to embrace change and face the challenges ahead of increased demand on NHS services and decreasing funds.

"There is much more to do if we are to achieve our combined ambition to deliver outstanding services for the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

"The way forward, I believe, is better integration of health and social care services around the patient and more care provided outside of hospital settings.

"There appears huge support in our community for integration and Cornwall should now seize the opportunity. I want to take this opportunity to thank our staff, volunteers and shadow governors for all your support, dedication, team work and huge talent that I see every day — it has been an absolute pleasure working with you, good luck and every success for the future."