ST HELENS and Knowsley Health Authority admitted at a recent meeting that there was a need for a review of the arrangements for managing local health services.

As a result, a working group report, considering the future options for the delivery of health care in the district, has been submitted to the members of the authority.

The majority of health services for local people are currently provided by two separate trusts, one providing mainly hospital-based services, the other community-based services.

In addition, patients attend other hospitals in Liverpool, Fazakerley, Warrington and Wigan. The two local trusts, now five years old, work closely with family doctors and Social Services in meeting the health care needs of local people.

The working group report considered a number of options designed to provide a closer working relationship between the various groups.

"We believe we provide a good quality of service for local people," said David Fillingham, chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley Health. "But we need to continually seek ways of improving services for patients, particularly in relation to the need for team working between different health care organisations."

The working group, made-up of representatives from local hospital and community trusts, St Helens and Knowsley Health Authority, the Community Health Council, the two borough councils, GPs and other health professionals, was set-up to examine whether alternative organisational arrangements to those currently in place could deliver substantial improvements in services for local people.

Two broad options for change were placed before the health authority: either linking the local Community Trust more closely with those in neighbouring districts or, the formation of a new trust working across hospital and community boundaries.

It is understood that the St Helens and Knowsley Community Trust would prefer to preserve the independence of community services and to link-up with neighbouring trusts of a similar type. However, they are committed to working closely with the health authority in order to find the best way forward.

Ken Sanderson, chief executive for the St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals Trust, commented: "We support any moves that will improve the quality of patient care as that is the aim of everyone working in the NHS." For the health authority, David Filligham said: " Our preferred model would be for a new organisation that integrates hospital and community services. We believe this will lead to a better co-ordination of care and closer joint working with family doctors and social services.

"However, we do also see benefits in other options and will want to work closely in partnership with the trusts, GPs, borough councils, the CHC and other groups in taking the issue forward."

The health authority and the trusts will now be meeting with the NHS Executive in the North West to see how the options can best be progressed.

Danny McCaul, chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley Community Health (NHS) Trust says talks are being held between themselves and neighbouring Warrington Community Health Trust with a view to a possible merger.

He said: "The St Helens & Knowsley Community Health (NHS) Trust is committed to providing the highest quality of care for patients outside the hospital environment."

The chief officer of St Helens & Knowsley Community Health Council, Mr Tony Richards, said after the meeting on Tuesday morning: "Following the Health Authority's meeting this morning, the CHC welcomes the preferred option developed from the CHC's original proposals and commends the Health Authority for putting aside vested interest and putting the interests of the patients first.

"These proposals should go a long way to reduce local bureaucracy and make more resources available to those working in the local NHS, who provide the face to face service to patients."

ANY future decision will have to be considered by the Secretary of State for Health, Frank Dobson.

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