Press release: PCT Network welcomes Kings Fund report on local NHS spending priorities
08 Sep 2008
Commenting on the report David Stout, Director of the PCT Network which represents the vast majority of Primary Care Trusts, said:
"The report sets out variations in spending patterns between different primary care trusts. Many of these variations are expected as different areas have different patterns of illness which require an appropriate local response. This is why we need local decision-making within a national health service to make sure local needs are met rather than a one size fits all approach with decisions made from the centre.
Today's report is helpful in showing how the NHS spends its resources and where the extra investment has gone over the previous two years. It reveals that national priorities such as mental health, coronary heart disease and cancer, continue to consume the largest share of PCT spending - 12 per cent, 9 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.
"However some of the variations in spend are not explained. While this may be due to inconsistencies in the data, it may reveal unacceptable variation in clinical practice or unexplained variation in investment. While this analysis does not in itself provide the answers, it will help local primary care trusts to continue to ask the right questions about how they can best manage their resources.
Notes for editors
The PCT Network represents the vast majority primary care trusts in England. It was established in December 2006 to provide a distinct voice for PCTs. The Network is part of the NHS Confederation.
The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% 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.
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