A group committed to providing better Health care services for residents across Tendring was today celebrating being one of the first in the country to be granted trust status.

The Tendring Primary Care Group's bid was officially approved yesterday.

It will become a trust from April and it could mean taking over the running of both Clacton and Harwich hospitals within the next 18 months.

The move has been made to enable doctors and nurses to deliver the most appropriate services, and will bring extra cash into Tendring for primary and community health care services.

Dr Jonathan Geldard, chairman of the group and a Walton GP, is delighted.

The trust will have its own budget for local health care, will employ staff and take over many of the functions presently operated by North Essex Health Authority.

Among the advantages for patients will be more outpatient services based in Tendring - instead of having to make journeys to Colchester - more services provided at home by outreach workers and an improved range of services in some GP practices.

The changes will also secure the long-term future of hospitals like Clacton and Harwich.

The new trust aims to start by taking over the district nursing service and health visitors and school nursing.

Health minister John Denham said he was pleased Tendring would become one of the first primary care trusts.

"I have studied their plans and I am confident people will see the real benefits from having their local NHS led by doctors and nurses who really understand their needs," he added.

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