PCTs in Hertfordshire announce merger (From Watford Observer)

PCTs in Hertfordshire announce merger

2:02pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010 in

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The two primary care trusts (PCTs) in Hertfordshire will merge, it was announced today.

The decision came after a consultation by the NHS East of England, and was confirmed by Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary, last week.

NHS West Hertfordshire, and NHS East and North Hertfordshire, will join together as NHS Hertfordshire from April 1 this year.

Since their establishment in October 2006, both PCTs have shared a management team, chief executive and set of directors, while many staff work for both organisations.

The merger will see savings of £500,000 that is currently used to support two PCTs. This will now be spent on improving services, a representative said.

Stuart Bloom, the current chairman of West Hertfordshire PCT, has been appointed chairman of the new organisation and seven non-executive directors have also been recruited.

Anne Walker, chief executive of the PCTs, said: “We have challenging times ahead and this decision gives us the platform to explore new innovative ways of working with others making the best use of our joint resources to improve the quality of services for patients”.