Press release: Prime Minister launches new Primary Care Trust Network
08 Dec 2006
Today, Tony Blair, Prime Minister joined Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson to launch the NHS Confederation's new Primary Care Trust Network, along with Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, Dr Gill Morgan and David Stout, the new director of the PCT Network.
The Prime Minister said: "The PCT Network should not be afraid to say here are changes you can make and it is then our responsibility to change - that is a partnership approach to change." For a full copy of the Prime Minister's speech, please click here.
The PCT Network will help its members improve health and patient care by influencing policy and the public debate, supporting learning and developing solutions with the wider NHS. PCT members of the Confederation will have a distinct voice, as well as being part of the collective voice of NHS organisations. Please click here for more details of the new PCT Network.
PCT chief executives and chairs attending considered the future priorities for the Network. One key message was the need to be more accountable to patients and the public in their local communities. In a recent poll, leader of the new primary care trusts were asked how strongly they agreed with the statement: PCTs accountability to their local population needs to be strengthened. Of the 134 respondents, 81 per cent agreed or strongly agreed.For further details regarding this poll, please see the full press release.
For further details of the Primary Care Trust Network, and how to join, please contact clare.ruby@nhsconfed.org.
Notes for editors
1. PCT chief executives and chairs were asked: PCTs accountability to their local population needs to
be strengthened.
Agree 60%
Strongly agree 21.5%
Disagree 16.3%
Strongly disagree 1.5%
Don't know 0.7%
2. How should accountability with your local population be strengthened?
Foundation trust-style membership 48.2%
Strengthening OSC committees 29.6%
Adopting local councillors onto PCT boards 10.4%
Electing members of the public onto PCT boards 11.9%
3. Even if growth in health spending slows as expected post-2008, are you confident that your PCT is in a good position to transform services and improve health in line with the reform agenda.
Agree 73.3%
Strongly agree 14.8%
Disagree 8.2%
Don't know 3.7%
Agree and strongly agree 88.1%
Disagree 8.2%
The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up
the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
Contact details
For further details of the Primary Care Trust Network, and how to join, please contact clare.ruby@nhsconfed.org.
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