NEW HEALTH RE-ORGANISATION

It is expected that the new PCTs will come into effect from 1 October 2006. The new boundaries for the ambulance service were also announced by the Department of Health today, with Kent, Surrey and Sussex Ambulance services merging to become South East Coast Ambulance Service.

The new PCTs will help make sure health and social care services are better shaped around the needs and wishes of patients.

Closer alignment of the NHS and social services will enable more effective joint working in tackling priorities like reducing health inequalities and improving care for those with long term conditions.

The local NHS has given a commitment to the development of locality structures within the new PCT to ensure they retain the local focus the current organisations have achieved, and will allow GPs and other NHS staff to have a greater say in how local services should be organised to meet the needs of their patients.

Precise locality arrangements will be determined by the new PCTs themselves.

Candy Morris, Chief Executive designate of the new South East Coast Strategic Health Authority covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex said, 'the creation of a new ambulance trust and eight PCTs across the Kent, Surrey and Sussex area will enable the local NHS to better design and deliver improvements in the health and healthcare of local people. I look forward to working closely with the new organisations to build upon the excellent work that the current organisations have achieved.'

This area will be covered by the East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT.