A HEALTH management body has a new acting chief, who will serve for the final three months of its existence.

Laurence Tennant succeeds Eamonn Kelly as acting chief executive of Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust from July 1 until October 1. On that date, a new Worcestershire PCT, incorporating Wyre Forest's, will begin operating.

Mr Tennant will work on a part-time basis, based at Brook House in Kidderminster.

He is an experienced NHS chief executive and was with North Warwickshire NHS Trust for nine years and Coventry PCT between 2002 and 2005.

David Priestnall, chairman of Wyre Forest PCT, said Mr Kelly had "successfully" led it through "some difficult and challenging times" for 18 months.

He added: "As a result of the reconfiguration of NHS trusts, I can now confirm that Eamonn Kelly has been appointed, on an acting basis, to a senior position within the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority.

"We wish him well and thank him."