THE Government has pledged to protect NHS spending.

But the way people are treated and the way health bodies work is to be revamped, while red tape is to be cut.

Somerset Primary care Trust spokesman Paul Courtney said the NHS is expected to “deliver greater efficiency and service improvements” while managing rising public demand.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has already announced that two tiers of NHS administrative functions – strategic health authorities and PCTs - are to be abolished, with family doctors having responsibility, through new GP Commissioning Boards, to plan and fund local health services.

The 260 Somerset PCT staff are unsure of their future, said Mr Courtney.

He added that health professionals would work to manage people’s long-term health conditions in the community and through their GPs, easing pressure on hospitals.

Mr Courtney said: “The NHS has largely been protected, although it isn’t going to get such large annual increases as before.”