Primary care is where most people begin when they have a health problem. Service providers include doctors, dentists, pharmacists and opticians.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for ensuring that these and other health services are provided in local communities. They might also organise services such as district nursing and community hospitals. The Kent Primary Care Agency provides administrative support for the PCTs.
PCTs are the cornerstone of the NHS and provide vital links between the strategic health authority and GP practices, and between the demand and supply of acute hospital services. Overall they are responsible for the health of the people in their area, tackling health inequalities and bringing health and social care closer together.
Each PCT holds about 75% of the total NHS budget for its local area.
The role of a PCT is to:
- support and develop the services of GPs and their practice teams
- provide a range of community health services such as health visiting and district nursing
- commission hospital treatment and specialist care for patients.
In Kent there are three PCTs. Follow the links below for more information.
