THE scrapping of a scandal-hit health trust moved a step closer last night.

North Yorkshire Health Authority is to launch a public consultation exercise into plans to change management arrangements at the Northall-erton trust, which has faced severe criticism over the scandal of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale in recent months.

Under the plans, the trust will be disestablished and the management of services at the Friarage Hospital transferred to the South Tees Hospital NHS Trust.

The move is linked to plans to create a new primary care trust covering Hambleton and Richmondshire.