THE new chairman, in charge of spending Wyre Forest's £127 million health budget, has been appointed.

Dr Simon Rumley has taken over the role at Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) after Dr Simon Gates stepped down.

Dr Rumley, a doctor for 20 years, works as a GP for Aylmer Lodge Cookley Partnership, mainly seeing patients at Cookley Medical Centre.

Until March this year, he was also the GP clinical lead for dementia across Worcestershire and worked closely with doctors and other organisations to promote dementia management.

He will work closely with the CCG's chief officer Simon Hairsnape.

Dr Rumley said: "I'm delighted to take on this rol.

"I look forward to using my experience and knowledge of the local area to ensure our patients receive high quality healthcare services in the right place and at the right time for them.

"I'd like to thank my predecessor, Dr Gates, for his drive and leadership in creating a solid foundation for the CCG to build on as we move forward."

Mr Hairsnape added, “I’m delighted to welcome Simon to his new CCG role. Simon brings a wealth of clinical and leadership experience to the role and I very much look forward to working alongside him in the future”.

Dr Gates, the group's first chairman, announced in September he would be stepping down this month, saying it was the "right time".

CCG represents 12 constituent GP member practices and prescribes services for about 112,000 people.