Health chiefs who oversee the National Health Service in York and North Yorkshire have been holding merger talks, the Evening Press can reveal.

Barrie Fisher, chief executive of North Yorkshire Health Authority, confirmed that talks are being held with other health authorities, following a pre-election pledge by the Government to streamline the Health Service.

He 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.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn announced proposals to streamline the NHS in a speech before the General Election.

He said he wanted to cut the current number of health authorities from 100 to 30, each covering about 1.5 million of the population.

Mr Fisher said he has met with senior officials from the East Riding and Hull Health Authority and also the South Humber Health Authority to discuss possible plans for the future "super health authorities".

He said a likely amalgamation could be between these three, although he would not discount talks with other authorities in the Yorkshire region.

"As more information comes out from the Government, health authorities up and down the country are going to be talking with their neighbours about what would be the appropriate new arrangements for their patch," he said.

Mr Fisher said one primary care trust has already been set up for Selby and York. Consultations for a Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale trust, and one covering Hambleton and Richmond, began recently, and proposals for a trust to cover the Harrogate area will be discussed next month.

He said: "These new organisations will need staff, which could involve some staff moving from existing health authorities."

Mr Fisher was unable to comment at this stage on any possible location for a new head office.

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 and South Humber serves 300,000. Any amalgamation between these three authorities would fit with the Government's proposed guidelines.

Updated: 11:48 Tuesday, June 26, 2001