A NEW health authority will be created following health minister John HuttonÕs go-ahead to create a strategic health authority for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The recent announcement means that the new Hampshire and Isle of Wight Health Authority will replace the three health authorities of north and mid Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and south east Hampshire, and Southampton and south west Hampshire.

The new authority, which will be based in Southampton, will serve a population of some 1.8 million and play a key role in delivering the NHS Plan.

It will be responsible for supporting local and newly created primary care trusts and NHS trusts to deliver the major changes to health services that local people expect.

It will also aim to build the capacity and improve the performance of local health services.

Local consultation in Hampshire showed that 73 per cent of residents overwhelmingly supported the creation of a health authority for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, although some residents wanted Hampshire to join with Surrey.

Announcing the change, and 27 other similar changes in the country, Mr Hutton said: ÒBy giving more power and responsibility to those working in the NHS, we need to shift the centre of gravity from Whitehall to the NHS front line.

ÒThe new strategic health authorities, together with PCTs, will establish streamlined, less bureaucratic and more devolved management of the NHS.

ÒIncreased power and responsibility will rest with people working on the front line. PCTs will have the majority of the responsibility for commissioning services.

ÒStrategic health authorities will play a crucial role in brokering solutions to local problems, holding local health services to account and encouraging greater autonomy for NHS trusts and PCTs.

ÒWe have consulted extensively with patients, the public and those working in the NHS on the boundaries of the new strategic health authorises.

ÒOur announcement now represents a significant step towards realising a less centrally managed NHS, but within clear national standards, delivered locally.Ó

Subject to the progress of the NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Bill, the new authority is expected to become a strategic health authority by October 2002.

The NHS appointments commission has announced that Peter Bingham, currently the chairman of the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority will become the first chairman of the new health authority.

He said: ÒThe creation of the new strategic health authority marks a major stage in the governmentÕs modernisation programme for the NHS. Its role will be very different from that of the existing organisations and it will require new ways of working and fresh ideas.

ÒThe challenges it faces are enormous and the priority now is to put together the right team to take forward the excellent work already started in all three existing health authorities and to work with partners across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for the benefit of all patients living in the area.Ó

Current chief executive of the North Hampshire Health Authority, Gareth Cruddace, will become the new chief executive designate of the new authority.

He said: ÒThe people who live in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are among the healthiest in England as a result of having some of the best family doctor, community and hospital services in the county.

ÒOur challenge is to bring all our services up to the standard of the best and to improve the health of people in our most deprived areas and we will do this by delivering the targets set out in the NHS plan.Ó

The announcement also means that Surrey and Sussex will be joined to create a new strategic health authority.