The NHS is changing. In line with the Government’s reforms primary care trusts are being abolished with the planning and management of local health services, called commissioning, moving to local GPs and clinicians. The new structures will be in place by April 2013.
In Bath and North East Somerset clinical commissioning arrangements to replace the PCT are well developed. Locally a team of six doctors and a practice manager are working in shadow format with the PCT to support this programme.
In the interim primary care trusts have been brought together into larger groups called clusters to manage the transitional period. NHS B&NES is working in partnership with NHS Wiltshire under a single chief executive and management team.
To find out more about the NHS reforms read the Health and Social Care Bill .
About us
NHS Bath and North East Somerset (PCT) is working to improve healthcare services. The organsiation is responsible for arranging and providing health services to every patient in Bath and North East Somerset who is registered with a GP in the area. This process is called commissioning.
Under our establishment orders NHS B&NES has three principal functions:
- To maintain and improve the health of local people
- To secure the provision of health services to local people
- To manage and govern within a context of a national set of quality standards and statutory duties.
As a commissioning body we plan, arrange and purchase the health services people need by securing them from other organsiations. NHS B&NES has an annual budget of £293 million (2010/11).
Integrated working
The commissioning of health services is jointly co-ordinated with B&NES Council's social care and housing departments under the Health and Wellbeing Partnership. Combined we are commissioning health and social care services worth £350 million (2010/11). Working together helps us to achieve:
- More effective planning and decision-making
- The seamless delivery of care services to local people
- Improved efficiency and value for money.
Agenda and scope
Our agenda is determined by the Department of Health and influenced by local circumstances. Working closely with other organisations, people who use our services and the public we assess the needs of local people and develop these services in response.