IN reply to the question addressed to me by J E Plumtree (letters Mar 22) I see no conflict between acting as an elected councillor for the residents of Western ward and as a non-executive director of Swindon Primary Care Trust, appointed by the NHS Appointments Commission on behalf of the local community.
As a non-executive, I have a responsibility to ensure the PCT Board acts in the interests of, and is fully accountable to, the public for the services provided by the trust and the public funds it uses.
The award to Swindon PCT in 2005 of three-star status by the independent Healthcare Commission is an objective measure of assurance to the population the PCT is performing well on Department of Health key targets and on issues such as access to quality services and improving the community's health.
Within the next few months all non-executive positions on PCTs will be subject to competition via public advertisement.
I would invite J E Plumtree and any other readers with an interest in the NHS to apply.
M BARNES.
Swindon
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