13 October 2008Primary Care
Primary Care Trusts, or PCTs, are the NHS organisations responsible for improving the health of the people living in their area. PCTs plan local health services, in partnership with local NHS Trusts, local government and the local community.
A PCT holds the NHS budget for the area and uses this money to commission health services for its local population. PCTs also provide services and these include community nursing, community physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, chiropody and community hospitals.
Some community hospitals have Minor Injuries and Ailments Units. These are nurse led units staffed by experienced Emergency Nurse Practitioners and offer an effective alternative to Accident and Emergency where appropriate. A list of Minor Injuries Units and their opening times can be found at the West kent Primary Care Trust Website. PCTs also provide wheelchair services and home loans, health promotion, child health services including school nursing, family planning, child health and child protection and NHS Services in Schools. Within the area, primary care services are well developed with all GP surgeries providing services additional to General Medical Services.
For more information, see the NHS trusts page on this website.
Secondary care
As its name suggests, this is the second stage of treatment, which may follow primary care provided by doctors. It usually involves a hospital visit as an outpatient or inpatient. Hospital Trusts run acute hospitals, and in the Sevenoaks District Council area these are:
Click on the following link for details for details of Secondary Care Trust and local hospitals serving Sevenoaks District.
Mental health and social care
These trusts provide mental health services, as well as social care, working closely with local council social services departments. Social care services are targeted at various groups of people, for example, disabled people, people with eating disorders or with drug problems. Click on the following link for details of West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust which covers West Kent.
Ambulance
Ambulance trusts provide emergency access to healthcare. The Kent Ambulance Trust covers the whole of Kent and Medway, and also provides patient transport to help some hospital patients get to hospital. Click on the following link for details of the Kent Ambulance Trust.
Patient and Public Involvement Forums
These forums replaced Community Health Councils in December 2003 and each NHS organisation has an PPI Forum assigned to it. The forums are made up of volunteers from the local community and act as the watchdog for local health issues. If you require assistance on health issues or would like to become a member please contact:
Patient Forum Manager
West Kent Council for Voluntary Services
19 Monson Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN1 1LS
Call 01892 530330
