"JOINED-UP" health services are the aim of a new Government initiative in Selby and York.

The £100,000 Emergency Services Collaborative project, to cut waiting times for patients and provide a more simple service, was launched today at York Hospital.

Mike Williams, A and E consultant and lead clinician for the project, said: "We want our patients to get something tangible out of this, to have more joined-up decision making.

"Our patients need to get the same party line, to be given the same help and advice from the first point of contact to the end of their service."

About 100 officials from across the region attended the launch to improve co-operation.

"At the moment we have got all the groups working very well independently, but this will make them work together more efficiently as a group," said Mr Williams.

"This is also a partnership between carers and patients, so that patients know where to turn for the appropriate help at the appropriate time, to help us all work more efficiently and quickly together."

Gary Hardman, director of nursing and workforce development, described the project as a huge step forward for the future of patient care.

Updated: 14:10 Monday, June 09, 2003