AN under-pressure health trust will hold its first board meeting next week.

The North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) replaced the county's four smaller primary care trusts on October 1.

Health chiefs admit the new trust had taken on a deficit of about £90m.

The trust's chairman, Johnny Wardle, said: "We are looking forward to meeting formally as a board on November 7 and taking stock of the work which lies ahead.

"This first board meeting is an important milestone in building a cohesive new organisation.

"We look forward to bringing leadership to the PCT while assessing and prioritising the challenges facing our health community."

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at Sovereign House, Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, York, next Tuesday, from 3.30pm.