A CHALLENGING year lies ahead for the NHS, a care trust has warned.

Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, which operates a mental health centre in the grounds of Airedale Hospital, accepts it will be difficult to provide high-quality services within existing financial constraints.

In its annual plan, the trust says priorities include finding new ways of delivering services and new models of care.

Chief executive, Simon Large, said: "This year will be a challenging one for the NHS and we can only achieve our objectives by working in partnership with staff, patients and carers, to ensure services are developed to reflect their needs.

"We will continue to find new ways of delivering services that bring GPs, community providers, hospitals and social care much closer together, making best use of limited resources and staff to deliver more joined-up services for the public.

"Working together we can make real service improvements and provide the best possible care for people across the district."

Nicholas Smith, a public governor and former service user, said people had been actively encouraged to provide input in developing the plan.

He added the public could get involved with the trust in a range of ways, including becoming a member or governor.

Visit bdct.nhs.uk for more details.