Former Manchester Evening News editor Paul Horrocks has been appointed as chairman of the Bury NHS Primary Care Trust.
Horrocks, who stood down after 34 years on the paper in September to set up a media and communications agency, will take on his new role from 1 August.
Horrocks said: “I am privileged to be able to lead the National Health Service in Bury at such a critical time for public services.
“We are faced with an unprecedented challenge to continue to develop the quality and responsiveness of local services, whilst meeting the need to release efficiencies.
Related
“The government’s recent White Paper provides opportunities for us to delegate real power to the clinicians who are the closest to local people – GPs.
“Notwithstanding that there are still some significant arrangements to be finalised nationally and locally, we will be ensuring that changes to the NHS system realise local benefits for the people of Bury.
“I will use the breadth of knowledge gained during my career and wider roles to challenge tradition and truly engage the population we serve.”
Content from our partners
Horrocks joined the Manchester Evening News in 1975 as a general news reporter and was appointed editor in 1997, a post he held for 12 years.
He is also a former president of the Society of Editors and served as a member of the Press Complaints Commission for four years.
Horrocks will serve a four-year term as chairman with an annual remuneration of £34,152.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
