THE new chairman of one of the town's NHS trusts has admitted that critical challenges lie ahead.

Former magistrate and council leader John Gartside will be officially ensconced as chairman of Warrington Primary Care Trust on October 1.

Mr Gartside left his previous post of chairman at The 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust last week to start his role as chairman designate of the PCT.

On announcing the news of his appointment, Mr Gartside pledged to address issues that have dogged the trust for some time, predominately finance matters.

In February this year, the Warrington Guardian told how an investigation into health trust finances revealed that the PCT had accumulated £2 million in debt. At the time, health chiefs were quick to dismiss the figure as a one-off.

Mr Gartside's new role will see him plan the shape, structure and direction of the new PCT following its reconfiguration in October.

He said: "We face together the key challenges of the next five years; enhancing our fit for purpose' skill set, delivering financial health, driving locality-based commissioning, further engaging our clinicians, increasing patient choice, addressing the inequalities still apparent in the town, advocating for those without a loud voice, commissioning on a seamless programme of care basis, participating in partnership and local area agreements with the local authority and putting patients first and not our structures in the NHS.

"I strongly believe we will succeed by working together and continuing to combine the strengths of a relatively small organisation - commitment, passion and friendliness with ambitious thinking and delivering equitable services."

Mr Gartside is a freeman of the town and Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Cheshire. This is his fourth NHS post.

The annual public meeting of Warrington Primary Care Trust will take place on Thursday, September 14, in the Platinum Lounge of The Halliwell Jones Stadium from 5.30pm onwards. Meeting starts at 6pm.

You can raise questions in advance by phone on 843774, or before the meeting starts.