Plans for health spending in the county over the next 12 months will focus on reducing unplanned hospital admissions and improving care closer to home.

The Northumberland locality delivery plan, which has been jointly developed by Northumberland Care Trust and the emerging GP consortium, Northumberland Commissioning Group, outlines the key actions and projects to be led by the GP consortium in 2011/12.

Schemes to tackle obesity and reduce alcohol and drug misuse are included in the plan alongside the county-wide roll out of an end of life scheme originally piloted in Tynedale, designed to support patients who wish to die at home.

Delivery of the plan will be led by GPs under the Northumberland Commissioning Group working in partnership with local NHS organisations, the local authority and the community and voluntary sector.

The plan is available online from http://www.northoftyne.nhs.uk/