THE Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) has "hit the ground running" thanks to the work done by its predecessor.

The trust came into being at the start of this month, taking over from the former Sedgefield Primary Care Group (PCG).

The National Health Service (NHS) trust, which is responsible for delivering front-line health care services, now has its own budget and employs its own staff.

The Sedgefield trust held its first board meeting this week in the Pioneering Care Centre, Newton Aycliffe.

The group's chairman, Alan Gray, said: "It has been a tremendous exercise trying to get this thing off the ground.

"This is a very exciting time for the primary care trusts and a very exciting time for the NHS, and the role of the PCT will be very important.

"It's often quoted that the PCTs will be responsible for 75 per cent of the budget of the NHS. That is an awful lot of money.

"Our role is to provide the best possible health care and services for the people of Sedgefield, that is what we are about."

Mr Gray paid tribute to the work done by the primary care group, which he said ensured that the new group could get off to a flying start.

He said: "The PCG has been working in this locality for several years and has achieved a great deal under Dinah Roy, who was the chairman, and under the control and guidance of the chief executive, Paul Irving.

"The primary care trust certainly hit the ground running. We have got a very good baseline to work from."

Much of the work of the first board meeting was concerned with the administration of the new trust, which aims to hold meetings around the borough so that as many members of the public as possible can attend.