Keyword

Primary Care Trust (PCT)

Primary care trusts (PCTs) are local free-standing NHS statutory bodies, responsible for planning, providing and commissioning health services for the local population. The government sees PCTs as the cornerstone of the NHS. Established under the provisions of the Health Act 1999, they provide all local GP, community and primary care services, and commission hospital services from other NHS trusts. Each PCT is managed by a Board that includes local GPs, community nurses and other health care staff, as well as lay members and local authority and health authority representatives.