A BURNLEY GP has been chosen to lead an influential group of clinical experts who advise community health decision-makers in East Lancashire.

Dr Swamy Narayana, has pledged to shape the future of community health services for the better with a hands on approach.

He has been elected to chair the Professional Executive Committee of East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, which looks after the community health needs of residents in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale, since the merger of the two PCTs.

The Trust is responsible for managing policies and investment plans for the services provided by GPs, dentists and other community health services, as well as commissioning hospital facilities and services for nearly 400,000 people in the region. Dr Narayana says there is no one better than a GP, who deals with patients on a daily basis, to be in control of the future of healthcare.

He added: "I want to make sure the views of fellow professionals in all five boroughs are truly represented.

"Collectively, we have a lot of experience and expertise and have a direct, every day link and contact with patients.

"We can do a lot in shaping the future of community health facilities and services for the better, and who better to do so than those of us who are active in the front-line services?

"We have achieved a great deal to be proud of in reducing the health inequalities in our area already, and we have a fine foundation to build on in terms of staff and facilities. We can both strengthen clinical leadership and make sure the views and advice of health professionals are heard by the PCT board."

Five state-of-the-art new health centres and other modernisations to existing buildings have also been carried out recently.

Already up and running are the £29million St Peter's Centre in Burnley; Yarnspinners Health Centre in Pendle and the Bacup Health Centre in Rossendale.

There are also two £7.5million new health centres under construction in Accrington, and a £1.4million cash injection to modernise and upgrade Clitheroe Health Centre in the Ribble Valley.

Dr Narayana has been a GP at the Thursby Surgery in Burnley since the 1980s, and is a trustee of Pendleside Hospice.

He is from a family of doctors, married to a community paediatrician and his two sons are both studying medicine at university.

Dr Narayana's team on the new PCT includes six GPs, four nurses, a pharmacist, a dental professional, and a health therapist, together with the PCT Chief Executive, Finance Director, Public Health Director, and representatives from Social Services.