John Pierce re-appointed as Chair of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale

John Pierce re-appointed as Chair of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale

John Pierce has been re-appointed by the independent Appointments Commission as Chair of NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) for a further four years.

NHS HMR is the local leader of health in the Rochdale borough. As a Primary Care Trust, the organisation works with other NHS Trusts, Rochdale Borough Council, healthcare professionals, voluntary organisations and many other partners to commission the best health services possible to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the borough.

With an annual budget of £402m, NHS HMR focuses on helping people to lead a healthier and longer life as well as improving access to more health services in the community, including GP and dental provision.

The PCT employs more than 1,000 staff to serve a population of 206,000 people.

John and his family have lived in the borough for nearly 40 years and he was appointed Chair of NHS HMR when it formed in 2006. He was Chief Executive and Town Clerk for Rochdale Borough Council from 1986 to 1997. Since retiring from the Council he has run his own public sector consultancy, working with other local authorities and several private sector companies.

John said: “I’m delighted to have been re-appointed as Chair of NHS HMR for another term. We’ve come a long way since forming in 2006 - more people in the borough are living longer and healthier lives, accessing more services in the community and have improved access to GP and dental services. But there is a huge amount more work to do.

“The whole NHS faces great problems and more change and I think it’s important to keep a stable and consistent leadership through these challenging times, supporting our staff, volunteers and local communities who do such an invaluable job in shaping health services.

“I look forward to leading the organisation through the challenges that lie ahead."

John’s re-appointment begins on 1 December 2010 and runs to 30 November 2014 with a remuneration of £34,152 per annum. This period in office is subject to the arrangements around the Government’s White Paper that outlines proposals to dissolve Primary Care Trusts by 2013.

All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees political activity (if any declared) to be made public. John has not declared any political activity and does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.