Developing primary and community health
services is a key component of the government's
plans for modernising the NHS.
Primary care groups and trusts have a vital part to
play in overcoming the variability, fragmentation,
and isolation that have been the weaknesses of
primary health care in the NHS.
Primary care groups and trusts have introduced
initiatives to promote greater collaboration
between general practices and to share expertise
and resources.
Improving access to care is an important feature
of the modernisation plan, and most groups and
trusts are actively promoting access, particularly
for people who have been poorly served
traditionally.
Groups and trusts are tackling staff shortages by
using clinical specialists and promoting extended
roles for nurses and pharmacist
