PLANS for North-East primary care trusts to work more closely together have been criticised by health trade unions.

NHS County Durham and NHS Darlington are to set up a unified business board under a single chief executive on November 1.

But the unions have expressed concern over an alleged lack of consultation with staff and the wider public.

They fear the move could create a conflict of interest, because NHS County Durham commissions primary care services across both areas while NHS Darlington provides them.

Union officials are also worried it could pave the way for the privatisation of some primary care services in County Durham and Darlington.

Glenn Turp, North-East regional director of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), has written to Yasmin Chaudhry, chief executive of NHS County Durham and chief executive- designate of NHS Darlington, underlining the union’s concerns at the move.

Jake Turnbull, communication officer for the RCN in the North-East, told The Northern Echo: “Considering what is happening, we would at least expect some staff consultation.

Not only has there not been any staff consultation, this week’s board meeting was in private, so there was no forum for us to raise this.”

Liz Twist, North-East regional officer for Unison, said: “We share the RCN’s concerns about the lack of consultation on what are quite significant changes.”

But Cameron Ward, chief operating officer for NHS County Durham, said the arrangements were intended to improve the way services were provided, and were being driven by the Government.

He stressed that there would be no conflict of interests as there would still be two separate boards – one commissioning services and one supervising the provision of services – which would report to the two statutory primary care trust (PCT) boards.

Mr Ward said PCT officials took the view that the changes were matters of internal governance, which did not need formal public consultation.

“We have got nothing to hide. We are passionate about improving health. Anybody can ask us about anything, any time,” he said.

He said the public would be consulted about any proposals to make substantial changes to the way services were delivered.

■ The next board meeting open to the public is due in January.