MENTAL health and learning disability services for patients in South Buckinghamshire will now be cared for by a new NHS organisation.

The Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust will offer services now provided by Aylesbury Vale Community Trust and South Bucks NHS Trust.

The new specialist trust will provide mental health services for people of all ages, including in and outpatient facilities, forensic mental health and learning disability services.

In the longer term, learning disabilities will be managed by a partnership organisation led by Buckinghamshire Social Services.

Keith Nieland, chief executive of Aylesbury Vale Healthcare, said: "The new trust is a great opportunity to work with other health and social care organisations to provide easy-to-access, high quality treatment and care."

Health Minister Gisela Stuart said: "I am delighted to confirm that I have decided to endorse the proposals set out in the consultation to create a new specialist trust."

She added: "My decision recognises the need to develop modern and affordable health services fit for the 21st century."

Buckinghamshire Mental Health will be managed by a trust board, with a chairman appointed by the Secretary of State for Health.