A HOST of health services in Blackburn and Darwen could be run by a single NHS trust from next year in a ground-breaking move, it was revealed today.

Primary care services, including GP, dental and community-based care, will be run by the Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust which will control its own £95million budget - if the Government gives the go-ahead.

Officials are putting together the finishing touches to their application and a lengthy consultation period will start next Wednesday . If Health Secretary Alan Milburn gives approval the trust could be created from April 1 2000.

Six primary care groups officially began operating across the district in April. They were created as a result of the Government White Paper 'The new NHS - Modern Dependable' which outlined ways in which the NHS would work.

The PCGs, which are formal sub-committees of East Lancashire Health Authority, pinpoint and plan the health needs of their local populations.

The six groups are in Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale. Blackburn with Darwen PCG is the first to apply to become its own NHS trust - although the others will probably follow suit next year.

The move could see it hold the purse strings to a £95million budget to purchase healthcare for the borough's 140,000 residents. The PCG is hoping to enlist the support of GPs and other health professionals across the borough. Chris Wolvin, chief executive of the Blackburn with Darwen PCG, said patients would benefit because decision-making would be more local.

He said resources would be targeted at specific health problems in Blackburn with Darwen - although the trust would not be providing hospital services.

Another proposal is to develop a new primary care out-of-hours centre at Queen's Park Hospital.

Mr Wolvin said some staff and services would transfer from the CommuniCare NHS Trust - which currently provides community services in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley - although full consultation would take place.

He said: "We want to hear from people and we would like the public to take part in the consultation."

Anybody wanting information about the bid can call Chris Wolvin on 01254 267000.

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