NORTH Yorkshire residents are being asked to comment on plans to create one "super health authority" from the merger of three NHS organisations.

A 12-week consultation programme has begun to look at proposals to merge North Yorkshire Health Authority with those of East Riding and Hull and North and North East Lincolnshire.

As reported in the Evening Press three months ago, health chiefs began merger talks following a pre-election pledge by the Government to streamline the NHS.

It is said to be part of a move to shift the balance of power in the NHS to those who deliver front line services. Health secretary Alan Milburn said he wanted to cut the current number of health authorities from 100 to 30, each covering about 1.5 million people.

Peter Garland, regional director for the NHS in the Northern and Yorkshire area, is overseeing four consultations, which also include Newcastle, Durham and West Yorkshire.

He said: "By shifting power closer to the front line, patients and local communities will have more influence over the development of their local health services.

"This structural change will support the cultural change needed to transform the way the NHS works.

"This is a significant structural change for the NHS in the region, so it's important that people take the opportunity to give us their views on the proposals."

Consultation ends on November 30, after which Mr Milburn will be addressed with the views expressed by residents and a ministerial decision will be made.

When the Evening Press first reported the merger talks, Barrie Fisher, the chief executive of North Yorkshire Health Authority, said the proposals would affect jobs in the health authority. But although there was a possibility of some job losses, posts would be available for staff at a new head office and with new primary care trusts being set up in the region.

Mr Fisher was unable to comment at that stage on any possible location for a new head office, and he was unavailable for comment today.

North Yorkshire Health Authority currently serves about 750,000 people, making it one of the biggest in the country.

East Riding and Hull serves 600,000 people and North and North East Lincolnshire serves 300,000.

The consultation documents are available to view on www.doh.gov.uk/shiftingthebalanceofpower/haconsultation.

Updated: 11:15 Monday, September 10, 2001