Plan to join up social services and NHS care in Blackburn and Darwen

http://www.stopinjusticenow.com/news/archive/2009/april/14/07.htm

SOCIAL services could join up with NHS care under new plans for Blackburn with Darwen.
The proposals would mean that primary care trust NHS Blackburn with Darwen would be upgraded to a new-style Care Trust Plus, taking on the councils social care responsibilities.
It is hoped that the move would save money as well as improving services for patients and their families.
The primary care trust and Blackburn with Darwen Council are set to hold a series of public meetings to discuss the changes, and are also calling on residents to make their views known through questionnaires.
The consultation period will be open until June, when the council and the PCT will make a formal decision on whether to bid for the new status.
If accepted, they hope to have the Care Trust Plus up and running by April 2010.
The council and the PCT already work closely together, particularly on the Re:fresh campaign to improve public health, which has included the council offering free leisure to everyone living or working in the borough.
NHS Blackburn with Darwen chief executive Judith Griffin said: We have along history of close partnership working between the NHS and council in Blackburn with Darwen.