A NEW man is now in charge of health care in the Hambleton and Richmondshire area.

Simon Kirk has been appointed as chief executive of the local primary care trust (PCT), succeeding Chris Long, who moved to Hull.

Staff and representatives from partner organisations and patient groups were invited to take part in the recruitment process.

They attended a day of presentations by shortlisted candidates, as well as meetings where candidates were asked to join group discussions on key issues facing the PCT.

Common themes from the feedback were used by the interview panel to help in the decision-making process.

Chairwoman Sue Young said: "The involvement of staff and other stakeholders in the recruitment process was extremely valuable.

"Simon has already made a huge contribution to the success of the PCT over the last few years. I am sure that un-der his leadership we will continue to go from strength to strength."

Mr Kirk, who joined the PCT in 2002 as director of strategy and commissioning, said: "The PCT is already a high performing organisation with outstanding staff. I'm excited by the prospect of helping shape its further development, building on the good work already going on here."

He first joined the NHS in 1988 as a research assistant at the then National Association of Health Authorities and has a BA Honours degree in history and an MA in health service studies and has co-authored and co-edited books on clinical effectiveness and on research and development in the NHS.