The All Party Parliamentary Group on Primary Care and Public Health report, "Primary Care Trusts: Can they deliver on public health?", has been published.

Forum Response: Health Development Agency

Professor Richard Parish, chief executive of the Health Development Agency, told ePolitix.com: "The Health Development Agency welcomes the first major report of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Primary Care and Public Health and is pleased to have submitted evidence to the inquiry. At this time of huge organisational change it is important to examine whether PCTs can deliver on public health - and we believe that there are a number of key factors that impact on this.

"The ability of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to deliver the Public Health Agenda will be dictated by the capacity and capability of the workforce. In terms of potential development and health improvement, our biggest underused resource is the Health workforce itself - which is noticeably under supported. The Health Development Agency has identified support for PCTs as one of its top priorities over the coming years, and will support PCTs as they develop their capacity to deliver local public health programmes.

"PCT objectives will cover promoting health and well-being, involving local communities and reducing inequalities. It is anticipated that PCTs will be the NHS organisations which engage most closely with the work of Local Strategic Partnerships. This will include PCTs working closely with local authorities in the development of community strategies. Involvement with public health networks will also play an important part in PCTs being able to do their jobs effectively.

"The new responsibilities will mean new ways of working. Each PCT may need close collaboration with other neighbouring PCTs to ensure local priorities are reflected in collective action by PCTs across meaningful community areas - not just within the boundaries of the PCT. They will work with local partners, patients, carers and the wider community to improve health, as well as supporting the voluntary sector and commissioning services to meet the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. However, primary care organisations can draw on the wealth of experience of the Health Action Zones who have been working in partnership to tackle health inequalities in the most deprived communities.

"This is a daunting agenda for PCTs, but one which has the potential to make huge improvements to the way public health is delivered."