NHS Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) were created in 2002 to commission health services for their local populations, and are currently responsible for controlling about 80 per cent of the £76 billion NHS annual budget. In addition, PCTs have responsibility for public health, and many also provide community-based health services such as district nursing and community hospitals. The Committee's report examines the Government's proposals (set out in the Department of Health paper 'Commissioning a Patient-led NHS' published in July 2005, which can be downloaded at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/67/17/04116717.pdf) to cut the number of PCTs and to contract out community health services by the end of 2008. The report raises a number of serious concerns about the proposals, including in relation to: failings in the consultation process; the impact of PCT restructuring and divestment of provider services; and the likelihood that the estimated financial savings of £250 million will be achieved.

Primary Care Trusts are a flagship initiative of government policy for modernising the NHS. The new requirement for frontline healthcare professionals to work together stretches across both community care and public health, and as a result traditional boundaries are being blurred and new local roles and resources are emerging right across the primary care sector. This book draws practical lessons for Primary Care Trusts from applied research and development programmes in other parts of the NHS, other parts of the public sector, parallel developments in the private sector and relevant international experience. With contributions from the Health Management Group and its associates, this book provides a comprehensive approach and practical guidance. It includes new specific models for local development on clinical governance, evidence-based medicine, use of applied health services research, social services collaboration, new organisational partnerships, public health alliances, community hospital usage and managed care. Trust in Experience will enable readers to create PCTs as their own organisations and not simply as local agents of central policy, and perceive changes as positive opportunities whilst recognising the risks involved.

This book explores the Care Trust concept promoted by central government for improving partnership working between health and social care. Using case studies and examples to raise current issues related to partnership working, it explains how Care Trusts are bridging the gap between health and social care, and considers how they are delivering more co-ordinated services and improved outcomes. All healthcare and social care professionals with responsibility for, involved in or affected by the new partnership working arrangements will find this book useful reading.