A CAMPAIGN has been launched to ensure an area of Teesside has its own dedicated health team.

Government plans to halve the number of Britain's primary care trusts (PCTs), said to be spending about £54bn a year, have led to a hands-off call from east Cleveland.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt wants to see the UK's four-year-old care trusts merge in a bid to save an estimated £250m in costs - and allow the private sector to bid to run some health services.

A local councillor fears merger of the two primary care trusts presently covering Teesside would be a step backwards.

Councillor Valerie Halton, cabinet member for health and social services with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "The council, Langbaurgh PCT, local health practitioners and the general public in consultation meetings have all made it absolutely clear that a Redcar and Cleveland PCT is essential for delivering better health for our citizens.

"We call on the Strategic Health Authority to ensure that this is the option we now move forward on."

Coun Halton claimed having a single Teesside-wide trust would mean "the local dimension will be lost because the health needs of one area are different from others".

And there is borough-wide support for her call from councillors, medical personnel and the public.

She added: "Instead of dismantling a system that is working in many areas because of some PCTs losing money, a better solution would be to spread best practice.

"Change simply to save money is not an efficient or effective way to improve anything.

"The first consideration must be the function.

"In this case, the function is to improve the health of the people. It is working here under the present form.''

Dr John Doherty, Redcar GP and executive chairman of Langbaurgh PCT, said: "I am delighted at the unanimous response from our local representatives.

"Very close working relationships between health and social care in the future will bring great benefits to all sections of the community in Redcar and Cleveland."