AN influential health tsar has been appointed head of East End NHS services to overlook one of the biggest cost-cutting plans in decades.

Alwen Williams, the former head of NHS Tower Hamlets, was today appointed chief of neighbouring boroughs Newham and Hackney too as the three areas merge management teams in a bid to save cash.

CBE Ms Williams will overlook the job cuts announced a week ago to slice �14million – almost half the budget – off the boroughs’ current costs.

Up to 99 positions at the three trusts will go by January 6 and more are expected in the run up to April’s next financial budget.

The cuts will not be in front line services.

Health tsar Ms Williams last month made it into the list of the top 100 people with the greatest influence on NHS policy, compiled by the Health Service Journal.

GPs are set to take on greater responsibilities over how healthcare is administered under new government plans.

Ms Williams said: “We are developing new arrangements which will enable us to provide support to GPs as they prepare to take on greater leadership and decision-making roles.”

An interview with the new chief executive into how healthcare in the East End will be shaken up will feature in the Advertiser next week.