What are Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)?

PCTs are the cornerstone of the NHS, responsible for the planning and securing of health services and improving the health of the local population.

For example, PCTs must make sure there are enough GPs to provide for their population and that they are accessible to patients. PCTs must also ensure the provision of other health services including hospitals, dentists, mental health care, Walk-In Centres, NHS Direct, patient transport (including accident and emergency), population screening, pharmacies and opticians. In addition, they are responsible for integrating health and social care so the two systems work together for patients.

The 303 PCTs in England will be given the funding to plan and commission health services for their local communities - a role previously carried out by health authorities. Eventually they will control 75 per cent of the NHS budget. It also means that decisions about local services are made at a local level by those best placed to make them.

There are five PCTs in Oxfordshire :

• Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust
• North East Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust
• Oxford City Primary Care Trust
• South East Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust
• South West Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust

For details of our work in the Oxfordshire PCTs, click here