A HEALTH chief has been forced to resign her top-level post after a major gaffe by NHS bosses.

Dr Ann Huson has been told she must step down from her high-profile job as vice-chairman of East Lancashire Health Authority after only two months.

The Clitheroe GP was appointed to the new East Lancashire Health Authority, which came into force on April 1.

Along with the other four non-executive members she was officially appointed by the Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell.

But she has been told she must step down under a "technicality".

A spokeswoman for East Lancashire Health Authority said the rules for electing members was done at Secretary of State level. The health authority did not set the rules.

She added: "Under the guidelines, no health authority member must be an employee of a NHS trust.

"Dr Huson is a rural GP who provides cover for Clitheroe Community Hospital, which is run by the CommuniCare NHS trust. So technically she is an employee."

A new vice-chairman has not yet been appointed.

Dr Huson has been a partner in the Railway View Medical Practice since 1980 after qualifying in 1976.

She was a GP member of the former Lancashire Family Health Services Authority, the district maternity liaison committee and is a member of the district diabetic working group.

Dr Huson said: "It was one of those regulations that came to light after I was appointed.

"I am disappointed because I felt I had a lot to offer people in the East Lancs health district.

"I felt it was particularly important for the health authority to have someone with first-hand experience of working in the primary care sector."

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