A NEW shake-up of the local NHS is to begin with the abolition of West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority.

It will be merged with three other authorities to form a single grouping covering Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

She confirmed the mergers after a 14-week consultation in which local people, NHS staff and other interested parties were asked for their views.

Ten strategic health authorities will be formed from July 1 to replace the present 28 across England.

Strategic Health Authorities are responsible for integrating national priorities into local plans and ensuring a link between the Department of Health and the NHS.

The West Yorkshire authority employs 69 people in Leeds. It was set up in 2002, during the last shake-up.

A decision is expected soon on plans to create a single primary care trust for Kirklees by merging the South Huddersfield, Huddersfield Central and North Kirklees trusts.

The trusts took over the functions of the earlier Kirklees Family Practitioner Committee.