BY Katie Ellis MENTAL health could feature strongly in a major overhaul of health services in the area.

The local health authorities are planning a single NHS trust for Leigh, Wigan, Halton, Knowsley and St Helens, including a comprehensive range of services to people with mental health needs, adults with a learning disability and children and adolescents with a mental health need.

And people who live or work in the five boroughs are being asked for their views through a consultation which runs until September 28.

To ensure an integrated approach to the delivery of services, the new Specialist Trust would work very closely with Social Services and other council departments of the five boroughs concerned with the local voluntary organisations including community health councils, service user and carer organisations.

Following the consultation period, a final proposal, along with all comments and views received, will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Health. If approval is granted, the new trust - the Five Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust - would be in operation shortly after April 2002.

Project director Laura McMurtrie said: "This proposal offers a tremendous opportunity to provide first-class services to users and their families who have not always had the attention or voice that they deserve.

"This is a chance to make a real difference to the quality of their lives."

Staff employed in providing and supporting these services would transfer to the new trust as would any estates linked to the services.

The NHS Trusts involved in the transfer of relevant services to the proposed new NHS Trust are: Warrington Community Health Care (NHS) Trust; St Helens and Knowsley Community Health NHS Trust; St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust; Chester and Halton Community Health NHS Trust; North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Trust; Mersey Care NHS Trust; Bolton Community Health NHS Trust (Substance Misuse Services for the population of Wigan and Leigh).

For copies of the proposal and for details and dates of public meetings, call 01925 664050.