Stephen Williams MP welcomes government decision over Bristol PCT

4.08.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 17th May 2006

Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, has welcomed the Secretary of State for Health's decision on 16th May 2006 to establish a single Primary Care Trust to cover the city of Bristol. Mr Williams had lobbied the Minister for a new PCT that did not cross the city's

boundaries. The government was seeking to reduce the number of PCTs as part of a cost cutting drive.

"I'm pleased that Patricia Hewitt has responded to the overwhelming view of all local politicians that Bristol would be best served by a single PCT. The new PCT will be able to work closely with the council's social services. It will be easier for MPs and councillors to liaise with and

scrutinise a body that is dedicated to improving the health of the people of Bristol. I hope the new PCT will be able to focus on some of the glaring health inequalities in Bristol."

The original proposal from the Strategic Health Authority was to have a single PCT covering Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, covering over 800,000 people. Liberal Democrat MPs Stephen Williams and Steve Webb lobbied for smaller PCTs, as did local Labour MPs and the City Council. The new PCT will come into being on 1 October 2006, bringing together the two PCTs that currently cover the city. Nationally the number of PCTs is being reduced from 303 to 152. The PCT will organise non hospital based health care by GPs, dentists and community nurses. It will also promote public health and well being.