TOP jobs in East Cambridgeshire s health service are hanging in the balance after major changes came into effect on Sunday. Directors are waiting to see if they will lose their seats on the board as the area s health provider merges with primary care trus

TOP jobs in East Cambridgeshire's health service are hanging in the balance after major changes came into effect on Sunday.

Directors are waiting to see if they will lose their seats on the board as the area's health provider merges with primary care trusts throughout the county, creating one large authority.

East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Primary Care Trust chief executive, Audrey Bradford, and chairman, Allyson Broadhurst, have already lost their positions in the merger.

Directors are waiting to find out next week if their applications for a place on the new board of the Cambridgeshire PCT will be successful.

Meanwhile staff have been reassured that they will be offered new jobs within the new authority.

The merger has prompted controversy because Cambridgeshire South and City PCTs will be absorbed into the new authority along with debts running into millions of pounds, and objectors fear this will have a knock-on effect on services in other areas of the county.

East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT has managed to balance its books, despite facing financial challenges.

The PCT has been able to deliver on key performance targets set by the Healthcare Commission and the Department of Health.

Mrs Broadhurst, who has been appointed chair of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, said: "I want to assure local people that the new Cambridgeshire PCT will continue to recognise the very diverse and different health and social care needs of rural East Cambridgeshire and Fenland and will ensure that the local NHS continues to provide good access to effective, high quality health and social care services."

Board members, staff, key partners and local residents came together on Wednesday last week at the last annual meeting of East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT at The Maltings, Ely, when annual awards were presented to staff.