Former Manchester Evening News Editor Paul Horrocks is to take charge of a struggling health trust.
Mr Horrocks will take over as chair of cash-strapped NHS Bury next month.
The trust went into the red two months in the financial year and bosses have to find £25m of savings
He will serve a four year term until July 2014 on a £34,152 salary.
Born and bred in Bury, Mr Horrocks and his four grown up children all live and work in the borough.
He said: "I am privileged to be able to be 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.
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.”
Mr Horrocks left the Manchester Evening News in 2009, having been the Editor since 1997, after joining the paper in 1975 as a general news reporter.
Mr Horrocks’ community interests include membership of the fund raising board for the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Our Life which promotes health and well being in the North West.
He is also the Director of a Media and Communications Consultancy, Essential Communications, and an Independent Governor of the University of Bolton.
Former MEN Editor Paul Horrocks to chair Bury health trust
July 20, 2010
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Is that low salary correct? £34,152? There must be a digit missing, surely.
An interesting and obvious choice. Long term newspaper editor is obviously the right man the lead the NHS in an area. I'm sure he's vastly experienced in all sorts of medicine related things just like a doctor is.
Congratulations on your appointment Mr Horrocks, but I think the Chief Executive of NHS Bury might have a different idea about who is running things!
Didn't the white paper last week say that PCTs like NHS Bury will be abolished in 2013?
Mr Manchester, that's about normal for NHS chairs, it is the Chief Execs who are on the 6 figures.
£34,152???? and the rest....
Hmm I think we should give him a chance. He is a top bloke and he did a good job at the MEN. Come back in 12 months and see what progress he's made, I'm confident he'll turn in a good performance, to get someone of his quality for less than £35K is a bargain.
I agree with Father Time.
and what exactly does he know about the NHS ?, NHS experience counts !, yet another "misguided" appointmant I fear !
From the frying pan and into the fires doubt it will be a 4 year term PCTS are to be axed before then
He obviously earns a shed-load as 'Director of a Media and Communications Consultancy, Essential Communications' and is doing this for purely altruistic reasons - he's probably not into gardening or fishing - fair play to him.
well if the managers of some hospitals are anything to go by..NOTHING..their only interest is how to reach targets,no matter who dies in the process.
Lets hope MR horrocks has some compassion for the patients,whilst he's making money for the trust?