PROPOSALS to set up a trust to improve health care in Darlington are being published as part of a consultation process.

County Durham and Darlington Health Authority set up a primary care group (PCG) in 1999 and hopes to expand the services it provides next year.

The group would be formed into a Primary Care Trust and be given new powers and flexibility.

This would include the ability to provide direct community nursing services, enabling better support for GP practices and other services.

A pre-consultation process involving mainly staff and other stakeholders will be followed by a three-month public consultation from July to September, with the development overseen by a multi-agency team.

The Primary Care Trust is expected to be put into practice next April.

It is hoped the move would bring decision-making on the town's health care issues closer to those it affects - staff, patients and the public.

Unlike PCGs, the trusts have their own budget and are freestanding bodies, and will be aimed at improving health in the community, developing primary and community health services and commissioning secondary services.

The PCGs vice-chairman Colin Morris described the plans as "a very sensible way forward for Darlington".

Mr Morris, who is Darlington Borough Council's director of social services, said: "It is good equality in terms of primary care services, and primary care services will be much more responsive to local needs."