THE head of Worcestershire's emergency hospitals has been named chairman of a national assembly of employers in the health service.

John Rostill, of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, will head the NHS Employers' new 204-strong assembly, which will represent health service employers and acts on their behalf.

Speaking at the first assembly meeting in London, John Rostill told more than 150 senior NHS managers that it was an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of thousands of NHS staff working across England.

"First and foremost we are about improving patient care - but one of the best ways of achieving this is by continuing to improve the working lives of our staff and by making the NHS one of the best employers in the country," he said.

He added he was already encouraged by the enthusiasm he had seen among assembly members."