Press release: Confederation highlights PCT success stories

23 Jun 2004

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) should be given more credit for the successes they have achieved and more support to help them face the challenges ahead, according to a report launched today at the NHS Confederation's annual conference.

The report, Making a difference: how PCTs are transforming the NHS, is based on case studies of five PCTs across the country. It highlights the improvements each PCT is making - from finding new ways to engage clinicians and the local community, to improving access, integrating health and social care and tackling the causes of ill-health.

Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said: "PCTs have made some remarkable improvements in the face of an enormously challenging agenda. They have set in motion initiatives that have made a real difference to patients, and in places have begun to solve perennial problems that have dogged the NHS since its inception. It is time they received the credit they deserve."

The report is linked to a major new policy programme exploring the challenges facing PCTs as new contracts, patient choice, payment by results and a greater diversity of providers all transform the system. Edna Robinson, former Chief Executive of Salford PCT, has been appointed as the Confederation's new Director of Primary Care to take the work programme forward.

Making a difference sits alongside two other reports launched this week as part of the PCT work programme:
Ø      Meeting the challenge: PCTs and integrated management models - focuses on PCTs who have integrated their management boards, established new commissioning partnerships or developed shared services to improve their efficiency. It analyses the merits of these different models, and highlights the potential benefits of greater collaboration in the future.
Ø      Working together: PCT-acute trust relationships - explores the reasons for difficult working relationships between PCTs and acute trusts. Based on workshops with NHS Confederation members, it also explores how relationships can be improved.

Edna Robinson, new Confederation Director of Primary Care said: "I am pleased that the Confederation is focusing as much on primary care organisations and the issues PCTs are facing as on the needs of hospitals. We need to raise the profile of PCTs and their potential to create services that are local and more accessible. It is also important that PCTs are given the opportunity to share learning and to work collectively to enhance their effectiveness."

Notes for editors

Copies of the three reports are available from Will Little at william.little@nhsconfed.org or call 0121 335 8447/07880 500 726 or Jenny Reindorp at Jenny.reindorp@nhsconfed.org or call 07880 500 050.

Contact details

For interviews with Edna Robinson, or further details about the work programme, please contact Will Little at william.little@nhsconfed.org or call 0121 335 8447/07880 500 726 or Jenny Reindorp at Jenny.reindorp@nhsconfed.org or call 07880 500 050.

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