PLANS to revolutionise Southampton's health and care system are set to take a big step forward.

City council chiefs will meet on Tuesday to decide whether to push ahead with the ambitious plans, that would see £132m spent every year in the city.

The plans, revealed by the Daily Echo last year, will see new local health and care teams work together to coordinate better care for residents.

The city council and the Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) would have joint control over an annual budget of £132m of Government funds.

It is part of £3.8billion set aside by ministers to ensure care services are better integrated, and if given the green light would see health, housing and therapy workers pool their resources.

They would work in six new “clusters” covering different geographical areas of the city, with each “cluster” having staff who will act as a first point of contact for residents, who will then be able to co-ordinate their care between different NHS, council, care and voluntary sector teams.

The initiative will particularly focus on elderly residents, and the scheme will be rolled out to some of the 86,000 people in the city classed as having long-term health and mental health issues.

It is hoped it could relieve pressure on local hospitals by ensuring residents are able to get non-emergency help and treatment as close to their own home as possible.

The funding will be spent delivering a major reorganisation of how local health and care teams work together and new initiatives such as offering new support and advice to carers.

It will also cover existing staff, overheads and other costs currently funded in the city by the NHS.

At today's cabinet meeting Labour council bosses will decide whether to give final approval to the plans, which could come into effect in April.

Council cabinet member for health and adult social care, Dave Shields, described the step as “revolutionary”, adding: “It's increasingly obvious that health and social care have to come together.

“It's a brave first step and we are going further then most in wanting to take this forward. It's a really significant milestone for the city.”

The six new clusters: