The chief executive of a hospital trust has announced he will be leaving his role after overseeing a planned merger with a neighbouring trust.

David McVittie, chief executive of The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust and Ealing Hospital NHS Trust, has announced that he will be leaving in March 2015.

Mr McVittie joined the North West London trust, which includes Northwick Park Hospital, in 2012 to oversee the merger with Ealing Hospital NHS Trust, which is due to be completed on October 1.

He said: “It has been a real honour to lead the organisations through this significant period of change, I have been continually impressed with the mature way both organisations have approached these changes and am proud to have played a part.

“I wish the organisation continued success and will be watching from afar with interest.”

During his tenure, Mr McVittie has overseen changes to the trust’s accident and emergency services including the new £21million A&E department at Northwick Park and the downgrading of Central Middlesex Hospital’s department.

Peter Worthington, chairman of The North West London Trust, said: “It has been a real pleasure and honour to work with David.

“In many ways he exemplifies values of the NHS at its most admirable, personally and as a leader.

“Having advanced the two trusts to the planned merger on October 1 and laid the platform from which the new London North West Healthcare Trust will launch, he can rightly feel proud that he has delivered what was asked of him upon appointment.

“On behalf of the trusts, their staff and the many patients they serve, you have our thanks and respect David.”

The trusts say they will now be working together to appoint "another strong leader” to continue the "good work" of Mr McVittie and to take the trust forward in the next five to ten years.