PCGs lack funds for promised public involvement

7 Mar 02
The government's drive for greater public involvement in the NHS is being hampered by primary care reorganisation and lack of funding, the King's Fund said this week.

08 March 2002

Primary care groups and trusts were created to bring decision-making closer to frontline staff and patients but they were struggling to involve the public, according to a Fund report, Every voice counts.

All PCGs that have not already done so become primary care trusts in April and will take on new responsibilities, such as community services and some mental health care. But the huge levels of management time needed to prepare for these new duties have pushed public involvement down the agenda.

The report says PCGs have a community focus but warns that this could be lost as PCTs develop into distant, corporate bodies.

The study examined six PCGs and PCTs in London. Despite an obligation to involve the public, it found that there was little funding for the work and only one of the six had a manager with time dedicated to improving links with the community.

King's Fund primary care director Steve Gillam said PCTs offered an opportunity to involve the public. But he added: 'When primary care groups become trusts they should ensure they do not lose the expertise they have already built up. Public involvement should not drop down the agenda and should be encouraged at [GP] practice level.'

PFmar2002

Did you enjoy this article?

AddToAny

Top