NHS boss is debt-buster.

Byline: By Liz Hands

A North-East health chief has been called in to act as a troubleshooter for NHS trusts in debt.

David Flory has been appointed boss of the about to be created North East Strategic Health Authority.

While many other NHS trusts across the country face massive debt, the health service in this region is generally breaking even and Mr Flory has been asked to help those who are in the red.

He is working as interim director of NHS financial recovery for the Department of Health ( a temporary part-time job he will do while establishing the new SHA.

"I'm privileged to have been given the opportunity over the next few months to lead work at the Department of Health on achieving financial recovery in the NHS across England," he said.

The role will involve him going into NHS organisations facing "serious financial problems," a spokeswoman for Mr Flory said.

"This will include providing advice on financial recovery plans to ensure they are sufficiently robust to achieve the turnaround required in the organisation's financial situation."

Mr Flory's appointment to the new North East SHA ( which will come into force on July 1 with the merging of the region's current two SHAs ( was also announced yesterday by the Department of Health along with that of Peter Carr, who has been made chairman.

Mr Flory has been chief executive of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA since 2002 and has also been chief executive of County Durham and Tees Valley SHA since August last year.

"The two SHAs have been classed by the Department of Health as being among the best in the country," he said.

"Local NHS trusts have consistently met national targets to improve the experience of people using the services.

"None of this could have been achieved without good leadership and a high level of dedication by frontline staff in local NHS organisations.

"I look forward to continuing to work with these organisations and to help achieve further improvements in the future."

Mr Carr's involvement with the NHS dates back 16 years.

He has been chairman of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA since it was established in 2002 and before then was chairman of the former Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority and Northern Regional Health Authority.

Before that, Mr Carr had a distinguished career in the diplomatic service.