Towards Managed Primary Care: The Role and Experience of Primary Care Organizations

The last decade has witnessed a transformation in the organization and management of primary care. In Towards Managed Primary Care, the authors examine the background and development of Primary Care Groups and Primary Care Trusts (PCG/Ts) in the English NHS. The book focuses on the practical experience of developing and managing PCG/Ts and on the lessons that can be drawn from this for future policy relating to the management and evaluation of such organizations in the UK and elsewhere. The work: ¢ Provides an overview of the background to the development of PCG/Ts in England, set within the context of international developments of similar primary care organizations; ¢ Examines the organization and management of PCG/Ts; ¢ Analyses the impact of PCG/Ts on the provision of health services and on the wider health system; ¢ Explores the challenges inherent in carrying out research into primary care organizations; ¢ Focuses on the future development and evaluation of primary care organizations. With chapter conclusions setting out evidence-based lessons for developing and researching primary care organizations, this book will be an invaluable guide for all those interested or involved in health policy, health services research and primary care organization and management.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction; Developing primary care organizations: the international context; Developing primary care groups and trusts: the English context; Evaluating the development of primary care organizations; Exploring the organizational and governance arrangements of PCG/Ts; The role and engagement of GPs within Primary Care Groups and Trusts; The role and engagement of nurses within Primary Care Groups and Trusts; Managing the performance of PCG/Ts; Creating partnerships for improving health in PCG/Ts; Developing and improving primary care; Making a reality of the commissioning function in PCG/Ts; Sustaining effective clinical engagement in primary care trusts; Conclusions: evaluating the progress made by primary care organizations; Conclusions: primary care organizations in the future; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author :
Judith Smith is Senior Lecturer at the Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, UK. Nick Goodwin is Senior Lecturer at the Health Services Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.

Review :
’This book provides a unique view of the development of Primary Care Trusts in the UK. It is based on research carried out by the authors in the last five years, but also provides an international perspective on the development of health services. It will be a key text for students, professionals and managers with an interest in health policy.’ Martin Roland, Director, National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, University of Manchester, UK ’A book for all working in or researching primary care organizations the world over. By reading it you can learn from the international research evidence and avoid others’ mistakes.’ Sally Wyke, University of Stirling, UK ’When following the key lessons from this book primary care will be more strongly managed and as a consequence better equipped to face current and expected health care problems...this book provides valuable lessons for professionals, managers, policy makers and students with an interest in health policy. If you are one of them, this book leaves you no choice: just read it!’ International Journal of Integrated Care ’The style is methodical and comprehensive; particularly useful are the end of chapter elaborations of the implications and lessons for research, practice and policy. This device in itself commends the book to a wider than usual readership.’ Public Administration