Alongside the PCT Network's key priority areas, the Network also works on a number of other important issues for PCTs.

PCT financial management and value for money

The board members leading in this work area are John McIvor, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire PCT and Martin Drury, Chair of Leeds PCT. Initial work includes:

• John McIvor is now part of the PbR Programme Board
• Comments on ISTC wave 3 procurement fed into DH
• John McIvor has been nominated to sit on ISTC audit group

Service strategy and redesign

The board members leading work in this area are Alan Stephenson, Chair of Ashton, Wigan and Leigh PCT and Yasmin Chaudhry, Chief Executive of County Durham PCT. Initial work includes:

• Invitation to participate in an NHS Employers workshop on the future of the medical workforce
• Comments on the NHS Confederation input to the Darzi review

Public engagement

The board members currently leading work in this area are Eddie Anderson, Chair of Medway PCT and Pam Court, Chief Executive of South West Essex PCT.

The initial work includes an invitation to be part of a Foundation Trust Network event on role of FT governors.

Commissioning of primary care

The board members leading this work area are Richard Houlden, Chair of Northumberland Care Trust and Rebecca Burke-Sharples, Chief Executive of Halton and St Helens PCT.

Work currently underway in this area includes:

• Discussion with NHS Employers to ensure PCT input into next phase of GMS contract negotiations
• Input into the revised out of hours training of GP Specialty Registrar position paper
• David Stout wrote an opinion piece on GP access
• David Stout part of the DH National Implementation Team on GP access