THE head of health services in North Yorkshire is leaving as the county's health authority undergoes a massive change.

Barry Fisher, chief executive of the York-based North Yorkshire Health Authority will leave at the end of March when the body will be dismantled and swallowed up by a new, bigger authority.

To be called North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority, the new authority will encompass three current health authorities - North Yorkshire, East Riding and Hull and South Humber.

The moves are part of a new initiative to streamline the NHS.

The new designated chief executive is David Johnson, currently the chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

He will join Professor David Johns, who is the chairman designate of new authority.

Mr Fisher said he had not applied for the new post, adding: "I have every confidence in David Johnson. He is very responsible and committed to the NHS."

Mr Fisher said there could be job losses through the merger, and he expected the new authority's headquarters to be within the vicinity of either York or Hull.

Professor Johns said: "We are both delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead an organisation that will play a crucial role in the region's health and social care services."

Mr Fisher added: "The posts for chief executives of each primary care trust are currently being advertised to prepare for the Government go-ahead.

"We think we have made all the preparations to make sure there won't be any breakdown in services."

Mr Fisher, 56, has served the county for seven years and says his family home will remain in Harrogate.

Updated: 09:25 Saturday, December 22, 2001