THE new Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust has been officially launched following a three-month public consultation between May and July last year.

The Primary Care Trust -- which employs almost 1,000 staff across Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley -- has taken over many of the responsibilities which were previously undertaken by Communicare NHS Trust, which closed early in March, and the East Lancashire Health Authority.

The PCT will continue to carry out and develop the services previously offered by these organisations and will be governed by a board with a majority of local members.