TWO new primary care trusts may be developed to bring together all kinds of community-based care.
If proposals go ahead, the new Trusts will be based on the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale primary care groups and the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley groups.
The new Trusts, which will be similar to the Blackburn with Darwen Trust set up earlier this year, will also incorporate community services now provided by Burnley Health Care and CommuniCare NHS Trusts. David Peat, chief executive of East Lancashire Health Authority, said: "Primary Care trusts are the future for health care services in our area.
"They bring together family doctors, community nurses, other staff and local people to decide how money available for health care should be spent.
"They work closely with hospital services, social services and local councils to drive down inequalities in health."
A public consultation period will be set up soon for local people to air their views on the new plans.
The Trusts aim to work more closely than the old PCGs with other organisations who influence health in the area such as social services departments.
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