THE new chairman of the Guild Community Healthcare Trust has welcomed her new board members, appointed by Secretary of State for Health, Frank Dobson.

Mr Dobson accepted the resignation of two non-executive directors and sacked three others last week amid allegations that relations in the Trust's boardroom had been permanently damaged.

Christine Kirk, from Calderstones NHS Trust, was appointed as chairman for six months and is looking forward to working with her new colleagues.

She said: "I am delighted that Mr Dobson has moved so swiftly with these appointments.

"We now have an outstanding team which will give the Trust the stability it needs to support staff in doing what they do best - providing high quality care for patients.

"I really do believe that we can put the past behind us and help the Guild Trust to a bright and secure future."

Pradeep Passi from Fulwood is a barrister working as a freelance consultant providing health awareness programmes and advising on Legal Aid Board franchises and equal opportunities procedures.

He has chaired the national Hindu Youth Committee and is involved with the Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston.

Peter Farrer, from Penwortham, is a fellow of the Institute of Personal Development and has previously worked as general manager of human resources for Girobank.

Audrey Knowles, also from Penwortham, is a retired financial consultant and assistant manager with a life assurance company for 20 years.

She has been a visiting lecturer on health and pre-retirement issues, served as a non-executive director of Calderstones NHS Trust for four years and was involved in reviews under the mental health act and disciplinary appeals.

Glenys Pashley, from Hoghton, is a principal lecturer in the faculty of health at the University of Central Lancashire and a member of the faculty of health's quality assurance group.

Hilary Anslow, from Walton-le-Dale, is principal and chief executive of King George V College in Southport, a member of the Further Education Funding Council Regional Committee and previously served for four years as non-executive director of Southport and Formby Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

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