THE Government has given the go-ahead to the creation of a huge health trust to cover the whole of Morecambe Bay - from Lancaster to Barrow.

The new Morecambe Bay Primary Health Care Trust will come into effect on April 1, 2001, and will cover an area from Lancaster to Kendal and on to Barrow.

The move brings together primary and community health services within a single organisation and hopes to increase closer working between health and social services. Project leader David Jordison said: "A lot of people have had their say about this proposal and we are pleased that the majority of comment was in support. Patients will undoubtedly benefit, particularly in the areas of specialist services, including mental health and learning disabilities.

"The primary care trust will be a large organisation but with strong local links in Lancaster, Kendal and Barrow who will ensure local perspectives are maintained."

Chief Executive, Lois Willis, said: "It will bring to the population of Morecambe Bay healthcare services directly appropriate to local needs."

The move was welcomed by Lancaster MP Hilton Dawson who said: "This is bold and pioneering initiative which will ensure the high quality management of GPs, nurses and frontline staff in the local NHS. I am delighted at the decision. It will help provide a modern, efficient and well equipped health service of the future. I'm overjoyed to see the efforts come to fruition."