THIS week saw local health care change forever -- with the creation of the new Preston Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The trust, which started operating on Monday from its headquarters at the old workhouse in Watling Street Road, replaces the primary care group as part of a nationwide shake-up of health care, which sees the end of health authorities as we know them.

The Government hopes the new trusts will mean decisions on healthcare spending will now be made at a local level.

Five non-executive directors have been selected to help run the Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Preston, including local woman Charu Ainscough.

Mrs Ainscough works as a senior equal opportunities officer at Lancashire County Council, and has been a chairman of Sahara -- a women's help group based on Fishwick Parade in Preston -- for nearly 10 years.

She said: "I've always been interested in working with the community. When I first came to Preston in 1975 I was working with the community relations council as an assistant, then I became the officer in charge there. Then I had a seven year career break when I got involved in Save the Children."

Mrs Ainscough started working with mental health and care in the community organisation, the Preston Guild Community Healthcare NHS Trust, around a year ago when she was approached for the new position.

The other non-executive directors are Angela Wignall, John Dempsey, Brian Woods, and Jenny Williams.

The new PCTs have now been brought in across the country.

Hugh Lamont, spokesman for the NHS Executive North West, said: "Over the years more and more primary care trusts were set up, and the health authorities became redundant."

He said the new system will make sure money is spent where it is needed.

Mr Lamont said: "Services have been devolved to the front line of patient care. Health authorities were comparatively remote.

"PCTs will keep in touch with hospitals to see their patients get the care they need, and can also help develop services in local GP surgeries.

"We will see more local development going on, and local people will be making the decisions. The big players in the NHS now are the PCTs."