Sixty one PCTs could be in place in 2000GPs' patients want more flexible servicesMinister wants to cooperate with GPsAcademic staff should be covered by EU directive

The English health minister, John Denham, has said that there could be up to 61 primary care trusts (PCTs) set up in 2000.

The proposals to establish the PCTs come from 68 primary care groups (PCGs). Of the 61 potential trusts, 19 wish to start in April 2000 and the remaining 42 in October 2000. There are 461 PCGs in England and Wales, which allow GPs, nurses, and other health professionals to manage the budgets for buying health services from local NHS trusts PCTs will also be able to provide community health services.

Nelson PCG in south west London is seeking trust status, and the joint chairperson, Dr Howard Freeman, said, “We believe that a merger of primary medical care and community nursing into a new organisation will lead to improved quality of services provided in the community, a greater sensitivity to local need, and closer working together by GPs, nurses, therapists, and social services.”

The minister has also announced the establishment of 116 second wave personal medical service pilots during October. A second wave of 77 pilots will start working from 1 April 2000, …