A NEW health authority has pledged to focus on the four R's - regeneration, relationships, resour-ces and renewal.
County Durham and Tees Valley Health Authority was launched on April 1 as part of the Government's plans to modernise the NHS by giving staff and patients more power.
It replaces County Durham and Darlington Health Authority and Tees Health Authority and its work programme was agreed at its first meeting.
Ken Jarrold, chief executive, said: "Resources alone will not ensure the achievement of targets. Major changes in personal and organisational behaviour and culture are required.
"Changes in delivery mechanisms will also be needed, who provides services and how and where services are provided."
The authority pledged to regenerate the area, in which 208 wards are among the top 25 per cent for health deprivation.
It said that through forging relationships with colleagues in the NHS, local government and the statutory and voluntary sectors, it would make the best use of its resources.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article