COUNCIL boss Mohammed Khan has hailed an agreement from GPs, social workers and community nurses to work in four area teams within Blackburn with Darwen.

As reported on Friday, there have been efforts to get health and support workers to operate in ‘localities’ within the borough for several years, so they can better understand the needs of patients within each area.

The agreement follows a successful pilot in the east of the borough, involving patients registered with Roman Road, St George’s, and Cornerstone surgeries.

Coun Khan, cabinet member for health and adult social care, at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This is all about making sure that support is tailored to what individual people need. In other words, it’s about the person, rather than the service or organisation.

“We know people do better when they can be treated and supported at home, and in their local community, rather than in hospital, or residential care.

“By having one person co-ordinating people’s health and social care and helping them, with the support of family and friends, to take better of themselves, they have continuity of care and can enjoy a better quality of life.”