NHS to reconsider private deal by pensioner

Out of court settlement has been reached in a legal battle over NHS plans to change the way Gloucestershire health services are run.

Michael Lloyd, 76, from Stroud had brought in a judicial review against NHS Gloucestershire and now it has been agreed by the later to settle the review.

The NHS, according to Lloyd, had acted in unlawful ways while giving the management of county hospitals to a body that was new.

It was in the interest of everyone, the parties said, to bring the legal proceedings to an end, it was stated in a joint statement.

NHS Gloucestershire and Lloyd said, "The Primary Care Trust, PCT, has agreed not to implement its decision to enter into a contract with Gloucestershire Care Services at this time. The PCT has agreed that it will start a new process to explore the best option for providing community services in Gloucestershire."

In any future plans, participation will be asked from members of the public and NHS staff while seeking expressions of interest for the provision of NHS services in the county.

It was suppose to be in last October that a new body known as the Gloucestershire Care Services Community Interest Company that was due to begin managing some health services.