Towards primary care groups. Managing the future in Bradford

Abstract

The introduction of primary care groups from April 1999 heralds some of the most sweeping changes ever in the NHS. The boards of these groups comprise general practitioners and nurses, and social services, health authority, and lay representatives. They have a collective responsibility for commissioning secondary care, delivering primary care, ensuring quality, measuring performance, reducing health inequalities, and improving the health of the population served. The timescale from conguration to 'going live' is only eight months. New relationships have to be established, new ways of working developed, new objectives clarified, and action plans set.