PEOPLE with an interest in health and health issues are being urged to join Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust as non-executive directors.

Anyone living in the Middlesbrough, Eston, South Bank, Normanby and Grangetown areas is able to apply.

Primary care trusts are local NHS bodies responsible for improving front line health services.

They have their own budgets and commission health services for the local population. Their key aims are to improve health, promote health and well-being, and reduce health inequalities.

The Middlesbrough trust is made up of seven lay members, six healthcare professionals and trust directors.

The lay members are in the majority to ensure decisions made are responsive to the needs of local people.

Because the non-executive directors are senior positions of leadership, applicants are expected to have experience - either as a user or carer - of working within the community or voluntary organisations, and/or have relevant business skills.

Trust chairwoman Ann O'Hanlon said: "We are keen to recruit enthusiastic and forward-thinking individuals for these key roles in our organisation, particularly people with a financial background or experience in human resources and who are god team workers.

"Successful applicants can look forward to a challenging but very rewarding experience."

Non-executive directors will receive £5,294 per year for up to five days' work a month.

Anyone interested in applying is asked to contact (0113) 245 6452 and quote reference NY2517.