Negotiations between Wye Valley NHS Trust and its Private Finance Initiative partner Mercia Healthcare Limited have resulted in a number of significant improvements to the service arrangements at Hereford County Hospital.

The PFI deal was originally signed in April 1999 and the first patients were treated in the new £65m facility in 2002 - the current services contract is set to run until 2029.

The agreements mark a watershed moment about half way through the contract with both parties having struck agreements which will bring a number of mutual benefits.

See the full story in this week's Ross Gazette