Local man appointed chairman of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT

John Pierce

John Pierce has been appointed as Chairman of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust.

John said: "I am delighted to be taking up this role at such a crucial time in local health care. My main purpose will be to drive the new trust forward, bringing together the best of the two former trusts.

"My goal is to ensure the people of the Borough receive the best health care possible. I look forward to working with the PCT staff; who I know share my commitment and enthusiasm in delivering the quality services local people want and need."

John, originally from Thornham, and his family have lived in the Borough for over 34 years. Joining Rochdale County Borough council in 1972, John then worked for 10 years as Chief Planning and Estates Officer for Rochdale MBC before taking up the post of Chief Executive and Town Clerk from 1986 to 1997. Since retiring from the Council, John has worked as a consultant for other local authorities and several companies including BT and Vertex.

He continued: "Given my history in the Borough, I am fully aware of the health problems facing our local population. I will be working hard with the PCT staff and the Council to make sure everybody has the information they need to choose a healthier lifestyle - preventing illness is far better than treatment.

"We aim to commission high quality healthcare where and when it is needed and wanted, in state-of-the-art surroundings. A most impressive start has already been made towards achieving this, with the commissioning of two new buildings in Deeplish and Alkrington, currently awaiting planning approval.

"The new centres will provide integrated care in the heart of these communities and many procedures previously only available in hospitals will be accessible there.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to work. I recognise that the NHS as a whole faces enormous challenges and I believe that the new PCT is more than capable of rising to them."

Marilyn Aldred, the outgoing (interim) Chairwoman of the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT said: "I wish John every good fortune and will support him and the PCT in any way I can. I am very proud of the achievements made in improving healthcare in the Borough by both Rochdale and Heywood and Middleton PCTs. I am sure that with John as Chairman of the new PCT, he will take the progress made to the next level."