DERBYSHIRE'S county council and NHS are considering a linking-up in a radical bid to "save money and improve services".

When people leave their jobs, the two organisations will be looking to create joint posts where employees work for both at the same time.

The link up could also mean departments of both organisations – such as communications, printing and payroll – operate in the same buildings.

The council and NHS Derbyshire County, which runs health services in Derbyshire outside Derby, will also be looking to create new buildings in which both organisations work together.

County council leader Andrew Lewer said there were "no plans for large-scale compulsory redundancies" as a result.

He confirmed that posts would go, but said it was too early to give a figure.

Mr Lewer said: "It would be my expectation that most of these opportunities will arise through people leaving of their own accord or retirement, rather than redundancies. The staff turnover and a slightly higher than average age of staff make this possible."

Mr Lewer said the NHS was an obvious choice for a link-up because the organisations were of a similar size.

NHS Derbyshire County, along with its sister organisation, Derbyshire Community Health Services, employs about 6,000 staff and has a budget of more than £1bn.

The county council employs 38,000, including teachers, and has a turnover of about £1bn.

Mr Lewer said: "The county council overlaps in its work with the NHS to a very considerable degree, particularly with regards to children's health and wellbeing and even more so in adult care.

"Similarities are also there in that NHS Derbyshire County is a very similar-sized organisation working in a similar area with a similar corporate structure. It makes sense for us to work more closely together.

"The financial pressure the public sector is under is going to mean organisations need to find innovative and radical ways of working."

The Derby Telegraph has reported how the county council must make £54m of savings in the next four financial years.

Mr Lewer said the link with the NHS would be a major part of achieving this by saving "millions".

He said the council would be paying particular attention to the affects of "joined-up" working which exists between Herefordshire NHS and Herefordshire County Council.

The bond between the organisations is so strong that they share a chief executive.

Mr Lewer said this was not currently on the cards for Derbyshire and that there were no "plans for a formal merger".

Expanding on the benefits of the scheme, he said: "We would be looking to make sure, for example, that someone isn't visited by a county council and NHS employee doing the same job. That's better for the customer as well."

But he said there were no plans for the health service to contribute to the cost of gritting roads in winter. The measure, advocated by the council's opposition Labour group, is already in force in Durham.

The idea is that the NHS will see long-term benefit as fewer people will be injured in icy conditions.

Mr Lever said no date had been set for achieving what he called "joint back office delivery" with the NHS, but he expects to have "a much clearer picture" within a year.

Ravi Subramanian, Unison's East Midlands head of local government, said neither the NHS nor the county council had approached the union.

He said: "This is worrying for our members and we hope both employers start discussions with us as soon as possible."

An NHS Derbyshire County spokeswoman said: "We are always looking for opportunities with Derbyshire County Council to ensure taxpayers receive the best value for money, but we can confirm that there are no definite plans in place."

No plans for similar measures in Derby have been announced. But Adam Wilkinson, chief executive of Derby City Council, said the council was in "constant dialogue" with organisations across the city, including police, fire and NHS "to explore how we can work more closely together".

He said: "We already share skills and manpower successfully through a range of projects, from tackling obesity to supporting victims of domestic violence which have been recognised at a national level.

"We will continue to look at ways that we can extend that joint working in the future."

The county council is already working with the NHS on several schemes.

These include joint-funding of community transport – with each organisation putting in £80,000 each – for "health-related journeys".

A joint health scheme is also being carried out on The Hub in South Normanton.

The £8m building scheduled to open in November this year is being paid for by the county council, NHS Derbyshire County and other organisations.

It will include a children's centre, GPs surgery, a new library and an adult education centre.

HERE are some examples of the guidance which health bosses have drawn up for a range of health treatments:

Caesarean sections will not be routinely offered to women who have hepatitis, are pregnant with twins, have small babies or go into an early labour.

Cataract operations may be given after a range of factors, such as the impact of sight problems on the patient's job or driving, are considered.

Patients who have symptoms will not routinely be given tests to confirm that they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Varicose vein surgery will be paid for primarily for non-smokers who are a healthy weight and have suffered symptoms such as eczema or serious bleeding. There were 135 procedures last year. Savings estimated at £14,300 to £47,200.

Hip and knee replacements will be offered to patients who have suffered symptoms such as pain or stiffness which has affected their quality of life.

Patients to be offered operations to remove adenoids and tonsils include those with a recurrent sore throat which has affected their quality of life.

Surgery for sleep apnoea may be given after patients have been measured against factors including whether they have severe symptoms or are sleepy in dangerous situations.

Treatments for snoring will not routinely be paid for. Last year there were 18 procedures for snoring and sleep apnoea. Savings estimated at £13,000.

Grommets for children with ear infections will be paid for in serious cases, such as when patients have had multiple ear infections, have not learned to talk properly because of ear problems, or have educational or behavioural problems related to hearing loss. There were 225 procedures last year. Savings estimated at £18,000 to £45,000.

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