A HEALTH group set up to link doctors with other community health care services is set to start a new period of independent financial control.

Wyre Forest resident for 30 years and former Birmingham city housing director David Priestnall has been appointed chairman of the Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust with five other board members from the district.

He will be paid £12,589 a year and non-officer members will receive £5,140 a year.

They are:

Peter Cox from Upper Arley, a member of the Bewdley Medical Centre Patients Advisory Group.

Patricia Henderson from Kidderminster, a social worker carers' training teacher for the Barnardos children's charity.

Flora Wright from Kidderminster, former chairman of Kidderminster and District Community Health Council.

Stella Keysell from Bewdley, previously vice-chairman of the community health council and non-executive director of North Worcestershire Health Authority.

Carol Warren from Stourport, Labour leader of Worcestershire County Council and also a former member of the community health council.

The new trust will provide services in primary and community care through direct employment of staff.

It will commission services for 110,000 people within its boundaries with the aim of reducing inequalities in health care.