Primary care trusts need local flexibility to deliver on public health

Primary care trusts must be given the flexibility and funding to develop local priorities if they are to deliver on public health in the United Kingdom, an all parliamentary group inquiry has found.

Primary care trusts, of which there are currently 302, came into effect on 1 April to oversee the strategic development of local health services. Taking over some of the functions of local health authorities, they will eventually control 75% of NHS budgets, and are seen as pivotal to the UK government's agenda …