QUESTIONS have been asked about the dual role of top Suffolk health boss.As Suffolk Primary Care Trust (PCT) prepared to discuss the planned changes to head and neck cancer surgery at its board meeting today Carole Taylor-Brown's conflicting roles on two health bodies have been criticised.

QUESTIONS have been asked about the dual role of top Suffolk health boss.

As Suffolk Primary Care Trust (PCT) prepared to discuss the planned changes to head and neck cancer surgery at its board meeting today Carole Taylor-Brown's conflicting roles on two health bodies have been criticised.

Mrs Taylor-Brown is the chief executive of Suffolk Primary Care Trust (PCT), giving her responsibility for ensuring as much care as possible provided locally.

But at the same time she is the chairwoman of the Anglia Cancer Network (ACN), the group that wants to force through the changes which are so opposed by patients, clinicians, charities, MPs and thousands of worried Suffolk residents.

Today she has pledged not to join in the discussion about head and neck cancer at the board meeting, and she defended her dual position on both bodies.

She said: “As chief executive of the PCT, I want to make sure as much care as possible is provided locally, but also want to ensure that patients are able to access the best possible care to improve their survival rates.

“As chair of the board meetings at Anglia Cancer Network I need to ensure all the views of the NHS bodies are considered before we reach a joint decision on how the national guidance should be implemented and cancer services improved for all the people served by the network.”