Chief Executive of the Department of Health, David Killip will leave his post on the eve of the departmental shake-up.

He'll retire on March 31 after a 38 year career in the civil service.

Mr Killip said: 'For some time past, specifically to aid succession planning, I had made it clear to the Civil Service Commission that it was my intention to retire from my post after 40 years service, in the early part of 2016. The effect of the restructuring would mean that my retirement would occur scarcely two years following the creation of the new Department of Health and Social Care. I felt it was questionable whether it would be helpful for the development of that new Department, were I to be its Chief Executive, for there to be a change of post-holder at such an early stage, with the process to recruit my successor occurring even sooner.

'Consequently I have decided to retire now. For me, this will be an enormous culture shock after 38 years in the Civil Service and most importantly I will miss many of my colleagues who are professional, hardworking and great fun to be with. Nonetheless, the prospect of more time for motorcycling, academic study and walking my dogs in the fantastic Manx countryside, is irresistible.'

An announcement on the appointment of a chief executive for the new Department of Health and Social Care will be made in the next few days.

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