A SHAKE-UP of the NHS will see the creation of one strategic health authority for the east of England. The re-organisation means that the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk Strategic Health Authority will now include Herts, Bedfordshire and Essex. In the

A SHAKE-UP of the NHS will see the creation of one strategic health authority for the east of England.

The re-organisation means that the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk Strategic Health Authority will now include Herts, Bedfordshire and Essex.

In the past Essex stood alone as a strategic health authority while the Herts and Bedfordshire Strategic Health Authority covered the most immediate area.

In a statement the Department of Health said the reorganisation would "strengthen the architecture of the NHS".

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "These improvements to the NHS will mean more money for front-line services and better care for patients."

Health authority chairman Keith Pearson said: "It's a good opportunity to work closely with other eastern region partners."

He said the shake-up had been supported by the health authorities in the area.

The NHS re-organisation will continue next month with a shake-up of primary care trusts.

This could see the merger of the Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford NHS Primary Care Trust with another body or a new trust covering the whole of Herts.