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PCTs in Somerset

Somerset Primary Care Trust came into existence on 1 October 2006, replacing the four Primary Care Trusts which previously existed in the county.

Somerset Coast covers an area of 500 square miles, taking in the districts of Sedgemoor and West Somerset.

Each PCT is a group of GPs, nurses, other health professionals and social services staff who work together at a local level to:

bulletimprove the health of the local community
bulletdevelop primary and community health services
bulletcommission and monitor hospital services
bulletensure local people get equal access to all services

Population

Somerset Coast has the largest population of the four PCTs in Somerset.  The total registered population is about 145,000 people.

Primary Care Staff

Somerset Coast has 22 constituent GP practices.  There are community nurses (district nurses and health visitors), dentists, optometrists and pharmacies.  In addition, there are chiropodists, physiotherapists, osteopaths and other healthcare providers to whom patients can be referred by their GP.

The PCT budget

During the year 2005/6 Somerset Coast PCT spent £164.1 million providing NHS services to the people of West Somerset and Sedgemoor.  This represents a 12% increase in expenditure compared to the previous financial year.  The money was spent in the following areas:-

 

 

The PCT has successfully achieved the following targets set for it by the Secretary of State:-

bullet Operational Financial balance
bullet Full cost recovery by the Provider Function
bullet Financing its capital expenditure programme
bullet Keeping within the revenue resource and cash limits

The PCTs Annual Report contains summary financial statements based on the annual accounts of the PCT for the year ended 31 March 2006.  They have been prepared by the Somerset Coast PCT under Section 98(2) of the National Health Service Act 1977 (as amended by Section 24(2), schedule 2 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 ) in the form which the Secretary of State has, with the approval of the treasury directed.

A full set of accounts can be obtained from the Director of Finance and Performance at the Trust Headquarters.   The full set of accounts also includes the Statement on Internal Control.   The Statement does not identify any significant issues that need to be reported.

Throughout 2005/6 Somerset Coast PCT has undertaken a number of initiatives to ensure that the use of resources is appropriate, economical, efficient and effective.  These include:-

bullet The regular monitoring of key performance indicators by the Trust Board and Professional Executive Committee.
bullet Use of national reference costs to assess the value for money of services provided by local NHS Trusts and the PCTs own community services
bullet Agreeing and monitoring plans with each individual GP practice to bring down the overall costs of prescribing
bullet Working with local GP practices and NHS Trusts to ensure waiting times for treatment and investigations continue to be reduced
bullet Working with the other PCTs in Somerset to review county-wide arrangements in a number of services and functions

The PCT is grateful for donations received from the League of Friends of each of the four Community Hospitals.   The PCT also receives charitable gifts from a variety of sources including patients and relatives.  

 Link to Finance and Performance Management Directorate