THE chairman of Bradford Health Authority has dramatically resigned her post in a protest over Government funding.

Doctor Joan Firth, of Constable Road, Ben Rhydding, quit her job after Health Secretary Alan Milburn announced that a £600 million windfall would bypass health authorities and go directly for frontline health services.

Dr Firth claimed that the move showed a lack of trust and that the authority staff had been dispirited and disappointed at the news.

Dr Firth said: "There are health authorities around the country that are obstacles but we have been tarred with the same brush. We have always worked in a partnership in Bradford. I just feel this was an insult to my staff.

"They have worked long and hard to deliver Health Action Zones and Primary Care Groups. And we got through winter pressures a lot better than other authorities."

Nearly £6.7 million of the extra cash announced in last month's Budget has been allocated to Bradford, but the money will go straight to hospital trusts and primary care groups at ground level.

Dr Firth told a meeting of the Health Authority last week that she felt she had no option other than resignation following the Secretary of State's decision.

Chief executive Ian Donnachie said the Health Authority board was saddened by Dr Firth's decision and she would be a great loss.

He said: "We are very sorry to lose Dr Firth. Her considerable talents have been an important part of the authority's successful development. Dr Firth deserves much credit for Bradford's recognition as a leader in health service modernisation."

Vice-chairman Dr Christine Parkinson has taken over as acting chairman of the board temporarily.

In a letter accepting Dr Firth's resignation, Mr Milburn said partnership work between health organisations in Bradford still enjoyed the full support of members. Dr Firth said: "I have enjoyed being chairman, but one has to take a stand on what one thinks is right."

Dr Firth was appointed as Health Authority chairman in June 1998. She was a non-executive director of the health authority from April 1996, became vice-chairman in June 1997 and acting chairman in November 1997.

In her working life before retirement in 1995, Dr Firth was deputy director of NHS finance. She joined the Civil Service at the Department of Health in 1967.

Dr Firth has also resigned her position on the board of NHS finance.

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