A NEW health boss has vowed to improve efficiency and services.

Dr Paul Watson is due to take over as chief executive of the NHS North East Essex in the New Year.

The doctor will be replacing Dr Paul Zollinger-Read, who is standing down after three years to take up the equivalent role in Cambridge.

Dr Watson, who will take over on January 6, said: “I am delighted to be joining the primary care trust. NHS North East Essex is one of our leading trusts. It is an exciting time to be joining and delivering on the trust’s vision, but also a challenging one as we strive for further improvements in services as well as in efficiency.

“I am looking forward to working with trust colleagues and partners to take on these challenges, and building on its successes.”

He is currently director of commissioning and deputy chief executive at NHS East of England. He trained as a doctor at Cambridge University followed by post-graduate training in public health in Yorkshire.

NHS North East Essex chairman Professor Sheila Salmon said: “My fellow board members and I are delighted to welcome Dr Paul Watson as our new chief executive.

“We are confident he will build upon the excellent work started by Dr Paul Zollinger-Read.”

l NHS North East Essex is a completely separate organisation from Colchester Hospital University NHS Trust.

It serves a population of approximately 315,000 in the 255 square miles covered by Colchester Council and Tendring Council.

It is the leader of the local NHS and works with organisations such as hospitals, doctors, nurses and community services to deliver health objectives in the area.