A CHIEF health watchdog warns that major changes in patient care planned by a doctor-led health group must clearly show they provide real improvements before they are given the go-ahead.

Community Health Council chairman Coun Frank Clifford said plans by Burnley Primary Care Group to convert to a Care Trust, allowing it to take control of community services and some health authority functions, would be carefully studied during the public consultation period.

Speaking at a meeting of Burnley Health Trust, a body which in April next year will lose control of community care functions if the new Care Trust is formed, Coun Clifford said the primary challenge was to ensure better patient services, and that money went into patient care and not into high management costs. Coun Clifford expressed concern that only Burnley and not the Primary Care Groups in Pendle And Rossendale were applying for Trust status.

He feared that in two or three years, when the groups may wish to become part of a joint trust, they would be joint rather than equal partners.

"It is a pity they cannot come together as one now," he said.

Health Care Trust chairman Brian Foster agreed, adding: "It is an extremely important issue and things will have to be considered very carefully."

Burnley Primary Care Group said it hoped to become a free-standing Trust for Burnley, while carrying out community service functions for the groups in Pendle and Rossendale.

It has said many patient care benefits will result from conversion to a Trust but admits that, at least initially, costs will be higher.