HEALTH chiefs have met representatives of primary care groups wanting to improve treatment and care in the Darlington area.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust set up the Darlington, Dales and Sedgefield primary care groups in 1999 and they are now hoping to gain Primary Care Trust status.
As trusts they would have greater powers and flexibility, including the ability to provide direct community nursing services, better support for general practitioners' practices and other services.
Representatives from the care groups met members of the South Durham Health Care NHS Trust on Monday to discuss the plans.
The meeting was part of the formal consultation which is due to finish at the end of next month.
The Primary Care Trusts are expected to be in operation by next April.
It is hoped the change would bring decision-making on health care issues closer to staff, patients and the public.
The trusts would have their own budgets and would be primarily concerned with improving health in the community.
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