Council considers timetable for enhancing public service trust arrangements

Herefordshire is close to agreeing a timetable to establishing the first public service trust arrangements in the country.

The council's cabinet and the primary care trust board will meet separately tomorrow (Thursday 20 September 2007). Each will consider the results of the public service trust consultation, in which 57 per cent of responses were in favour of the new public service trust arrangements. They will be asked to endorse the recommendation of the public service trust steering group to take forward a detailed 'roadmap' and timetable for the new arrangements. (The steering group comprises elected members, non-executives and clinical representation from the primary care trust, senior managers from both organisations and Government Office West Midlands)

The concept of a public service trust is designed to provide high quality seamless services, develop services that are efficient and demonstrate value for money and retain decision-making on public services within Herefordshire.

The council's cabinet and the primary care trust board are to consider the appointment of a single chief executive to take forward the public service trust and if approved, this could take place over the next few weeks. The proposal is to establish an interim public service trust board by January, with public service trust arrangements being formalised in September 2008.

The public service trust proposal has secured the support of the council's health scrutiny committee and the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority. The timetable proposals have also been influenced by discussions with elected councillors, non-executive directors of the primary care trust and personnel from both organisations.