PEOPLE in South Ribble will have more locally determined health care if plans for a Primary Care Trust in the area are approved.

The idea was launched by the Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Group, which was set up 18 months ago as part of the government's plans to modernise the NHS, and to make GPs and other community health staff more central to the planning of local services.

The new scheme would bring together the Primary Care Group and other community services provided by the Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust into one organisation -- which would then single-handedly manage and provide community and health services.

Consultations about the plans are currently being led by the South Lancashire Health Authority, which is inviting local people to give their views on the new initiative.

Chief Executive of the Health Authority, Tony Gick, said: "This is an important step in the development of health services for the residents of Chorley and South Ribble. "We hope people will take this opportunity to find out about the plans and let us have their comments."

And chairman of Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Group, Doctor Roy Evison, said that establishing a Primary Care Trust would be a logical and timely thing to do.

He said: "Although we are less than 18 months old, the Primary Care Group has set about tackling local problems with local solutions.

"We have brought together general practice, community care and social care systems to do this.

"The next step, a Primary Care Trust, is logical and timely."

Dr Evison added that direct patient services would benefit through locally sensitive and responsive services.

Residents in the Chorley and South Ribble area can put across their views about the scheme by popping into local libraries, health centres, GP surgeries and other local centres and filling in one of the leaflets.