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11
Aug 2021
Harrogate NHS Trust could take over Northumberland children's health services
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust could take over the running of health services for young people in Northumberland.
If approved, 95 health visitors and 30 school nurses will transfer from Northumberland County Council to the trust.
A survey on the proposal is available as part of the consultation, which runs until August 15.
Since 2015, local authorities have been responsible for the delivery of health visiting and school nursing services. But Northumberland County Council decided to continue providing the services in partnership with the NHS.
Until now it has done so with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust but the contract between the two organisations ends in September.
The county council has now identified Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust as its preferred provider for a new contract from October.
The council said in a consultation document it wanted the Harrogate trust to take over Northumberland's services because it had experience in delivering the services to young people in the north east and had shown it was an "engaged and supportive partner".
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Although, the council's statutory duties would be handed over to the Harrogate trust, the local authority would still remain ultimately responsible for ensuring they are met.
A separate consultation with staff will take place in the coming months.
The consultation responses will be shared with the county council's cabinet and the Harrogate trust before a final decision is made.
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