PCT Network established its rural PCT forum in the spring of 2009. The aim of this group is to focus on the specific needs and issues of our rural PCT members.
The network understands how important it is to support its members as they drive to maintain and improve services to their local communities. It is also important that the needs of smaller, rural areas are represented in the national media and to the public. Karen Knapton, Chair, East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust, chaired the first meeting of this group which was held in Peterborough in June. David Stout, Director, PCT Network and Naomi Foxwood, Senior Policy Manager, also attended this meeting.
Topics covered included the following issues facing our rural members and their local communities.
- demographic issues
- challenges for coastal areas
- fast growing and ageing populations
- deprivation and unemployment
- increasing immigrant population in rural areas
- limited competition and choice of provider for acute and primary care services
- poor public transport and roads for rural communities
- boom in tourism during summer months leading to pressure on the service.
These main issues that were raised and discussed at this first meeting will help us to shape our work programme for this group.
You can read minutes from the first meeting in June here.
For more information about the rural PCT forum please contact Martin Panther at martin.panther@nhsconfed.org