The CEO of Bermuda's Health Council, Anthony Richardson has resigned after just two years.

His departure from the Island's health watchdog was announced by BHeC Chairwoman Linda Merritt last night.

In the statement, the BHeC thanked Mr. Richardson for his work while acknowledging that he was leaving to pursue other options.

It said: "The Council members and staff recognise and appreciate the efforts Mr. Richardson brought to assist in developing the organisation since 2006.

"We appreciate his knowledge, level of commitment and the courteous approach that he exemplified in his work with colleagues and stakeholders."

Mr. Richardson joined the Bermuda Health Council in July 2006 as the CEO.

But there was much furore about him also holding the position of Bermuda Hospitals Board Chairman.

The former Accountant General eventually ended his three-and-a-half year tenure at BHB to make way for retired civil servant and former deputy principal of Sandys Secondary School Edwin Wilson.

Now stepping down from the BHeC, Mr. Richardson said he hoped his work would benefit Bermuda's health care in the future.

"I very much enjoyed working with the Health Council and believe that the important work that Council and I have worked on over the last two years will benefit health care in Bermuda for many years to come," he said.

This is the third change at the Health Council since its members were announced in February this year.

The first was dentist, Dr. Jewel Landy who has now been replaced, according to Ms. Merritt. with Dr. Ian Campbell as the Dental Association Representative by Health Minister Nelson Bascome.

Then Cindy Campbell, who was the President of the Hospital Insurance Advisory Board was replaced by Holly Flook and now sits on the Council.

Yesterday, Ms. Merritt said on the new appointments that: "Both of these new members are enthusiastic and knowledgeable."

The first members of the BHeC were announced in 2005 with Michael Bradshaw as the Chairman of the Board. He was scheduled to be in that position for three years.

However, in January this year, Mr. Bascome replaced Dr. Bradshaw with Ms. Merritt and announced that the Health Council would have a different composition.

The new council kept only four of the original members including Ms. Merritt, Lucille Parker, the former and current deputy chairman and the representative for nurses, Mark Selley, who represents the general community and Dr. Landy who previously represented the Dental Board on the council.

And the rest were appointed from the various boards on the Island as well as the Health Minister and BHB, CEO David Hill as the hospital representative.

The Health Council will be looking for a new CEO, according to Ms. Merritt who also wished Mr. Richardson well.

Ms. Merritt added: "At this time, we would like to assure our stakeholders that we will be posting for this position in the future."