The PCT Network represents the views and promotes the common interests of primary care trusts in England.

Primary care trusts (PCTs) are some of the largest NHS trusts in England. Advocates for patients and custodians for the tax payer, they hold the purse strings for the majority of NHS resources and also directly provide services in their local communities. PCTs actively engage with their local communities, ensuring that patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time, delivered by the most appropriate healthcare professional.

The PCT Network was launched on Tuesday 5 December 2006, by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the then Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and NHS Chief Executive David Nicholson, along with Dr Gill Morgan and David Stout, the new director of the PCT Network.

At the launch 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".

Our members

The PCT Network has the majority of primary care trusts as members. Membership is open to all PCTs in England that are already members of the NHS Confederation. You will find details of how to join the PCT Network and a full list of members.

Our work

The PCT Network work programme is led by David Stout, PCT Network director, and is steered by an independent PCT Network board elected from and by our members. The work programme is organised around five main priorities work areas, with the underlying objective to enhance the reputation of PCTs within the NHS and wider stakeholders. The Network aims to involve its members in developing and shaping the work programmes. Find more information about our work programmes and how to get involved.

Governance and leadership of the PCT Network

The PCT Network has an independent board elected by PCT Network member organisations, which ensures all our activities are member driven. Meeting every two months in London, the board is led by the PCT Network chair and vice-chair, and the PCT Network director.

So that the new strategic health authority regions are reflected, the PCT Network Board is made up of ten chief executives and ten chairs. At the inaugural board meeting in May 2007 the board agreed the PCT Network Constitution and elected Lise Llewellyn, chief executive of Berkshire East PCT, as the chair and Paul Sabapathy, chair of Birmingham East and North PCT as the vice-chair. List of current PCT Network Board members.

David Stout

David Stout is director of the Primary Care Trust Network. David joined the NHS Confederation from Newham PCT where he was the chief executive between April 2001 and February 2007. Before he joined Newham PCT, David was the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities services in Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust. He originally joined the NHS as a management trainee in 1984. David and the PCT Network Board are supported by NHS Confederation staff from the policy, membership and public affairs teams.

Media work

The PCT Network has dedicated media team to ensure PCTs gain a significant profile through the media, in government and with wider stakeholders. You can find our recent press releases in the media centre.