Major changes to the way NHS services are managed in Hertfordshire are set to take place next year with the aim of improving health care across the county.

The National Health Service is currently asking Hertfordshire residents for their views on a series of proposals due to be implemented in April.

The plan includes merging the county's two health authorities into one and creating a separate NHS Trust to provide local mental health services.

It is also suggested that the rest of the county's primary care groups should follow Hertsmere's example and become trusts to manage their own services.

West Hertfordshire Health Authority this week claimed the move was designed to put GPs and nurses at the forefront of making decisions on local health services.

A spokesperson said: 'The reason behind this is to put in place a better way of co-ordinating the management and organisation of services.'

Primary care groups, involving doctors and nurses, were set up last year to assist health authorities in developing local services and addressing health inequalities.

But, following public consultation last autumn, it was decided that Hertsmere Primary Care Group (PCT) would become a trust from October of this year.

Then it will be a stand-alone body able to manage and provide a range of community services, and to commission hospital and other care from NHS Trusts.

Chairman of Hertsmere PCT, Councillor Beth Kelly, said the organisation would seek to attract more local health resources for Hertsmere.

'We want to look at local services from the perspective of what patients want, rather than what the health organisations can provide,' she said.

The trust, working with organisations such as the health authorities and social services, aims to ensure greater co-operation between health care providers.

Next year the trust will take over Elstree Clinic and Potters Bar Hospital, where patients will go to convalesce after treatment at Barnet General.

The proposal for a single health authority, merging East and North Hertfordshire and West Hertfordshire, fits in with the idea of handing over much of the responsibility for developing health services to PCTs.

A combined Hertfordshire Health Authority would save on management costs, and would focus more on public health and strategic planning.

In addition, the creation of a separate NHS Trust for mental health would raise the profile of these services and allow closer involvement with social services.

Anyone who would like to take part in the consultation process, which takes place until October 16, is asked to call Julie Fenner 01707 361306.

mfoy@london.newsquest.co.uk