Ann Lloyd has been appointed the new NHS director in Wales. Her appointment means that women now occupy all four top positions in health and social care in the principality.

Ms Lloyd, aged 53, a former chief executive of Frenchay Healthcare NHS Trust in Bristol, is part of a team that includes Jane Hurt (the Assembly health secretary), Dr Ruth Hall (chief medical officer), and Helen Thomas (head of social care).

Ms Lloyd said that her main priority was the implementation of the new NHS plan in Wales, under which the five health authorities will be abolished by April 2003 and which will also see the National Assembly taking direct control of its health responsibilities.