A shake-up of mental health and learning disabilities services across Hampshire will not increase red tape or harm frontline services, health bosses have said.

The plan, which will create a new NHS trust for the services would join together three health authority areas to form a service covering Southampton, Winchester, Eastleigh, New Forest, Romsey, Waterside and Andover.

The new trust would cover adult and elderly mental health, learning disabilities, substance and alcohol misuse and specialist services for health issues such as eating disorders.

At a meeting in Winchester as part of the consultation for the plan, health managers assured voluntary groups and professionals that services would not change if it goes ahead.

Director of planning for North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority Eileen Spiller said: "I do not think it will put in an extra level of bureaucracy.

"I think people with mental illness should get at least as good a service as other people.

"The new trust will provide a broad range of services and a better service."

Assistant divisional manager for Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust Jane Elderfield said the new trust should make for a more consistent service for users.

She explained: "There is a drive nationally not to have a post code lottery. There needs to be a level of service throughout the proposed area."

Bosses also said that people would not have to travel.

Ms Elderfield said: "Services will still be provided in Winchester, for example, by people based in Winchester. I know locally there is a lot of anxiety about this."

The new plans come from a government drive to modernise the NHS and improve standards in mental health and learning disabilities.

Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn will make the final decision on whether or not the new trust will go ahead.

If the green light is given it will be formed in April next year and have about 2,000 staff.

A headquarters location has not yet been decided.

The public can still comment on the process by writing to: Tony Shaw, chief executive, Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority, Oakley Road, Southampton, SO16 4GX. e-mail: tony.shaw@ssw-ha.swest.nhs.uk. Letters need to be sent in by October 23.

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