Trust And Council Plan New Care Body

A primary care trust is planning to join forces with a council to commission, plan and purchase services. Herefordshire Council and the county’s primary care trust would form a body managing a £300m annual budget but remain separate legal entities.

The new public service trust would be involved in issues such as social care, homes for the elderly, dental care and children’s services but not hospitals. It is hoped to come into operation in April 2008.

The plans would not involve all of the council or all of the primary care trust, a council spokesman said. Both organisations are working together to consult on the proposal until 31 July.

They have been in talks about the plans with health professionals, patient and customer groups, employee representatives, the voluntary sector and national and regional government and NHS bodies.