Sedgefield Primary Care Trust
NEW BIGGER AND STRONGER HEALTH TRUST
TO DELIVER BETTER HEALTH CARE TO LOCAL PEOPLE
A new primary care trust for County Durham will be created on Sunday 1 October 2006.
The new County Durham Primary Care Trust (PCT) will serve a population of around 497,000 across the county of Durham. This will mean that the PCT is co-terminous with Durham County Council.
The new organisation replaces the five previous primary care trusts which served County Durham since April 2002:
- Derwentside Primary Care Trust
- Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust
- Durham Dales Primary Care Trust
- Easington Primary Care Trust
- Sedgefield Primary Care Trust.
This merger will result in at least 15% savings on management costs which will be reinvested in frontline NHS services and investment in areas such as new cancer drugs.
The PCT's role will be to:
- engage with local people to improve health and well-being, and reduce health inequalities
- ensure that patients have access to and choice of a range of high quality health services by commissioning services, within allocated resources
- directly provide high quality responsive and efficient services where this gives best value.
Staff of the County Durham PCT are currently based across five main sites, one in each of the areas of the former PCTs, as well as many health centres, clinics, community hospitals and GP surgeries. The interim headquarters of the PCT will be at John Snow House, Durham University Science Park, Durham City.
Lady Ann Calman has been appointed as chair. The chair's role will be to lead the organisation in commissioning in the very best health services for local people, that are shaped around the needs of patients and deliver the very best value for money for taxpayers. This includes overseeing the commissioning of hospital, community and family health services, including those provided by GPs, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists. She will work with other executive and non-executive directors of the primary care trust board to guide change and ensure local health care is high quality, provided effectively and efficiently, and that services are convenient and accessible for patients.
A chief executive is due to be announced during the first week in October.
Ann Calman said: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the new County Durham PCT. Across County Durham we have had a good record of consistently hitting targets to improve waiting times and healthcare and have developed some excellent services. The former PCTs were awarded three or two stars in 2005 and over the 4.5 years of their existence worked closely with local people, local authorities and partner agencies to develop better health services, closer to people's homes.
"However, PCTs face a challenging time ahead in terms of developing a wider range of community-based health care and making the most of new opportunities to deliver the best possible local health services. The new PCT for County Durham will be bigger and stronger, and more able to design, plan and develop better services for patients, working more closely with local government, and more effectively holding hospitals and general practices to account.
"The new PCT will be better organised to commission services that best suit the needs of its population, and GPs and other frontline NHS staff will have a greater say on how services can be delivered around the needs of their patients."
The total number of PCTs in England will reduce from 303 to 152. In the North East region, there will be a reduction from 16 PCTs to 12.
EVENTS AND NEWS
PEOPLE IN COUNTY DURHAM AND DARLINGTON
MOST AT RISK FROM FLU
CONTINUE TO IGNORE HEALTH WARNINGS
As the Department of Health today (Monday 2 October) launches this year's flu immunisation campaign, residents in County Durham and Darlington aged 65 and over and those who are most 'at risk' are being urged to take up the free flu jab.
This year, people aged 65 and over and those under 65 deemed to be at most risk of the serious consequences of flu - those suffering from asthma, diabetes, a serious heart, chest, liver or kidney condition or problems with the immune system - are being urged by the local health service to claim their free jab. In 2005 national figures reveal that last year more than half (52%) of those at risk did not take advantage of the jab.
The vaccination only takes a minute and is safe, effective and free for those who are at risk.
Dr Roberta Marshall, director of County Durham and Tees Valley Health Protection Unit, wants to encourage all older people, aged 65 and over, and those 'at risk' to get the jab, and avoid becoming ill this winter. Dr Marshall says: "After a series of winters with quite low levels of flu in the community, it is easy to be complacent about the threat of flu - but few people realise that even in years when there are low levels of flu in the community, between 3,000-4,000 deaths are attributable to the complications of flu each year.
"Flu is much more serious that a cold. It gives you fevers, chills, extreme fatigue and aching muscles, as well as the more cold-like symptoms of sore throats and runny noses, and tends to last for up to two weeks. Whilst flu is a nasty experience for all of us, for those at risk or aged 65 and over it can lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia which may require hospitalisation.
"We are urging those at risk to get a 'flu jab now. The influenza virus is always changing, so last year's vaccine won't protect you.
"The vaccination takes two minutes and is safe, effective, and free for those who are at risk. If you have not had the jab or made arrangements to have it, you should contact your doctor's surgery."
This year's activity in County Durham and Darlington will include:
- letters mailed to people aged 65 and over in Durham, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Durham Dales and Easington
- national posters and leaflets will be distributed to public places across County Durham and Darlington
- a radio campaign on Metro radio and Magic FM for three weeks during October
- and articles will appear in the local media and local community newsletters.
The vaccination is your best protection against flu so contact your local GP now and get your flu jab booked in before the winter arrives.
Last year, the County Durham and Darlington primary care trusts beat the Government's target of vaccinating 70% of people over the age of 65.
To find out about getting a flu jab talk to your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist, visit
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
or
www.immunisation.nhs.uk
go to NHS Direct Interactive on digital satellite TV, or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
If you do fall ill over the winter, remember you can contact your local GP, contact NHS Direct, speak to your local pharmacist or go to an NHS Walk-in Centre. You can find more information at
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
