A MERSEYSIDE health trust has reduced the amount it spends on agency staff.

Knowsley PCT spent £204,624 on outsourced administration staff last year, a reduction on previous years, and is planning to drive down costs even further.

The health trust works with the council in a unique partnership, called Knowsley Health & Wellbeing.

Health bosses say the organisation is taking a fresh approach to meet the challenges currently facing the NHS.

The joint working has also led to significant financial efficiencies, with annual savings of almost half a million pounds.

Chiefs say this is down to the joint planning and commissioning of services and the appointment of only one senior executive team.

Anita Marsland, chief executive of NHS Knowsley, said: “Knowsley Health & Wellbeing’s unique integrated partnership is delivering real results in promoting patient choice and driving up the quality of the services we offer. We are committed to working even more efficiently and effectively to deliver the outstanding services residents have come to expect, whilst making services more productive and reducing duplication of effort without cutting corners.”

In relation to agency staff spending, a spokeswoman said more is planned to reduce costs: “Knowsley Health & Wellbeing has successfully reduced their spend on agency staff in recent years and in response to Department of Health requirements to reduce management costs they are currently reviewing all their vacancies, including agency posts, to ensure they are able to continue delivering high quality, efficient services to Knowsley residents.”

Chiefs say the partnership is also helping to drive down health inequalities in one of the poorest boroughs in the country.

One way of doing this is by putting services within communities.

Knowsley faces tough health problems.

It has some of the worst death rates due to smoking in the country at 346.3 per 100,000 people, and one of the lowest female life expectancies at 79.2, compared to an English average of 82.

It also has high heart disease levels and the lowest level of breast feeding uptake.

The PCT says community clinics are addressing these issues.

A community cardiovascular service recently launched in four health centres across the borough, offers Knowsley residents access to specialist cardiovascular diagnosis and healthcare, outside of hospital.

The service has taken waiting times for consultant’s appointments down to 10 days and has also made the service more efficient.

It is estimated that the service will save close to £1m in the first year alone.