THE first board meeting of the new Burnley Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust was held in Nelson yesterday, marking a new era in the local NHS.

The 302 new Primary Care Trusts covering all parts of England will control health care locally, with performance and standards monitored by 28 new strategic Health Authorities.

The new structures replace the the NHS Executive, eight regional offices of the Department of Health, 99 Health Authorities and 481 primary care groups.

David Peat, chief executive of the new trust said: "I am proud to be chief executive of this new organisation.

"We are building on the solid foundations and good practise of the bodies which make up the PCT."

During the meeting at their headquarters in the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, the board agreed to new measures which are aimed at making the PCT more assessable and responsive to the public.

The trust will have its own website, linked to other related agencies, where agendas for future meetings, reports and minutes will be posted on the site.

It was also agreed at the meeting that there will be now be an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions at future board meetings.

Mr Peat added: "I would suggest that people can ring a certain telephone number and raise a particular issue.

"I think there is a clear issue of the public having the opportunity to raise their concerns."

Chairman of the PCT, Jim Heyes said: "If a member of the public wants to to raise any issue with us they can, and if possible a response will be given

"If not at the next meeting then within a specified period afterwards."

The new trust has evolved from the amalgamation of the Community Directorate of Burnley Health Care NHS Trust, the Community Dental Services of Communicare Trust, part of East Lancashire Health Authority and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Groups that were established in 1999.