A HEALTH leader has vowed to fight inequalities in the service following his appointment to a key post.

Dr Richard Harling has been appointed joint director of public health for Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The appointment builds on the partnership between the county council and PCT.

Dr Harling, aged 37, trained as a doctor in London, qualifying in 1993.

He worked in accident and emergency and hospital medicine before entering public health in 1999.

There he worked with PCTs and councils, nationally and internationally, and moved to Worcestershire in 2005. He retains links with universities to pursue his research.

Dr Harling said: "I am delighted to be given this opportunity to work across the PCT and county council to bring about real improvements in public health. My new role will mean much closer working across health, social care and children's services. The major challenges in the future centre on promoting and protecting the public's health and wellbeing, reducing health inequalities, and working with the public to decide what health services we need in Worcestershire."

The new role will involve a close working relationship with the head of health and social care, Eddie Clarke, also a joint post between the PCT and the council.

Government White Papers have stressed the importance of councils and the NHS working together. The PCT is the employer but both organisations have dual accountability for Dr Harling.