A NEW primary care trust could end up running the Wharfedale Hospital in Otley.

The trust could also buy services at the new hospital and transfer services there from other hospitals.

In addition, the trust, which could be formed out of the current Leeds North West Primary Care Group (PCG) in April, 2002, would have an annual budget of more than £1m.

Proposals to change the PCG into a trust have been out to consultation over the last few weeks.

Graham Hoult, PCG lay member, said local GPs had been consulted about the change and had responded positively.

"Of the more than 100 GPs we

consulted in North West Leeds, 80 per cent were in favour of the conversion into a trust. It is positive because a large number of Wharfedale GPs were disappointed that there wasn't going to be a Wharfedale PCG.

"It goes to show the hard work over the last two years of working together has paid off. The support by GPs is encouraging to say the least."

PCGs across the country have been able to consult onto their conversion into trusts for October 2000, in April 2001, in April 2002 and in April 2003.

Because of its size, the Leeds North West PCG hopes to gain trust status in April next year.

Mr Hoult said: "It will mean more than £100m of National Health Service money in the control of local GPs and lay people."

The trust would have control of

district nurses, health visitors and the buying of some hospital services.

It will also have input into the new Wharfedale Hospital - due to be rebuilt on the current site in Newall Carr Road.

Mr Hoult said: "A trust would have a substantial stake in what services were inside the hospital."

And with the agreement of local people - following a consultation - politicians and the medical

profession, it could end up running the new Wharfedale Hospital in Otley.

"There are three things the trust could do at the hospital if it was voted to do so and they would be to buy

services there, to transfer services there and it could also run services there.

"But to do that there would have to be a different management structure and that would involve some sort of consultation," said Mr Hoult.