FOUR GP practices representing 21,000 people are the first in East Lancashire to break free and form an independent social enterprise firm.

The surgeries will now fall under one umbrella, responsible for an annual budget of £2.4million by 2012.

NHS East Lancashire approved the ambitious plans to unite Pendle Valley Mill in Yarnspinners Primary Health Care Centre, Nelson, Brierfield Health Centre, Horsfield Practice in Colne Health Centre and the Eagle Medical Practice in Acorn Primary Health Care Centre, Accrington, at its trust board meeting.

However, health chiefs expressed concern that Horsfield Practice had opposed the move.

And non-executive director Ian Clements said that the outbreak of 'trench warfare' now needed to be resolved.

Social enterprises are a way of practices moving out of primary care trust (PCT) control, something the Government has said must happen by April 2011, as PCTs relinquish their 'health provider' role.

When an anonymous ballot on the scheme was held earlier this month, all of Horsfield’s nine staff, equating to 13 per cent of the 75 people who voted, identified themselves and rejected the move.

However, the vast majority of staff backed the proposals.

Dr Paul Lambden, of Pendle Valley Mill, said the social enterprise would be to the benefit of patients and staff alike.

He said: “It's GPs taking over their own destiny."

“It's certainly the first one in East Lancashire and I think it may be the first in Lancashire.

“Eighty-five per cent of the staff that voted, voted in favour. The handful of staff who didn't vote were people who were off sick."

Under the move the surgeries will share expertise and an information database, acting as one practice operating from four sites.

It is expected to deliver £1million in savings over the next 18 months, bosses said.

Dr Lambden said: “Somebody who works in Colne and lives in Accrington will now be able to visit the Colne Health Centre if they happen to be taken ill while at work.

“This allows us to run the organisation by the staff, for the patients.

“That allows for sensitive, efficient management and there isn't the inevitable bureaucracy of having to consult others.

“All the staff will have membership of it, rather like staff at John Lewis, and will be able to have a say in how it is run.

“And they will be able to see the fruits of their labour in terms of improving care for patients.”

Peter Sellars, NHS East Lancashire's locality manager for Pendle, stressed that there would be no noticeable changes for patients, except easier access to services, more choice and future improvements.

He said staff would also retain the security of their original NHS contracts and existing pensions.