A HEALTH body in north Durham has announced the reappointment of four non-executive directors to serve for the next two years.

Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT) brings together GPs, nurses and other stakeholders, such as councils, and gives them a lead role in planning, providing and developing high-quality health services.

It has just confirmed the community figures on its trust board who will be staying on to advise and debate the health needs of the district.

Jim Little, of Hamsterley Mill, is a self-employed business consultant to general medical practices.

Judith Lund has lived in Derwentside for 40 years and was awarded the MBE for services to rural issues in County Durham and was made a Deputy Lord Lieutenant in 2001.

Jim Owens lives in Malton, near Lanchester, and has had a long and successful career in health service management including being hospital secretary and hospital services manager in Derwentside.

Eric Turner lives in Hamsterley Colliery where he is the local postmaster.

In 1989, he was appointed to the Community Health Council where he became chairman in 1996. All four joined the PCT in 2002.

Peter Innes, PCT chairman, said: "Their experiences have made a major contribution to improving and developing local health services in the Derwentside area."

Non-executive directors of the Primary Care Trust are appointed by the NHS Appointments Commission to bring independent judgement on strategy and performance, and to be accountable to ministers and the local community.

All of the appointees will serve until November 30, 2007 and will receive a remuneration of £5,673 a year.