A FORMER council leader has been appointed as a health chief on Teesside.

Hartlepool accountant Russell Hart has been appointed to serve as chairman of the board of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust for a four-year term, from November 1, on an annual salary of £19,454.

Mr Hart, who is the managing partner of an accountancy practice, is chairman of Hartlepool Magistrates, an ex-Labour councillor, a former leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and a past vice-chairman of Cleveland Police Authority.

He is currently serving as a non-executive director at the local headquarters of the National Health Service, the strategic health authority, where he chairs the audit committee.

Mr Hart said: "This is a challenging time to be appointed to the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust. However, it is also an opportunity to bring a clear sense of direction to hospital services.

"I am looking forward to joining a very hardworking team, focused on providing the best possible services to local people.

"Each of our hospitals, in Stockton, Hartlepool and Peterlee, is important to their local community as providers of quality health care and as employers.

"The board of the trust needs to re-connect with its client base, the patients and others throughout the trust area. This trust has previously been a true three-star organisation, it can be so again."