Information for the public about PCTs: Qualitative research

The context:

There is limited interest in learning about PCTs: what people are most concerned about is that whatever treatment they or their family need is available locally.  Nevertheless, given widespread ignorance of the role and even the existence of PCTs, there is a case for informing members of the public of their role.

Giving more rather than less information to the public about PCTs can generate uncertainty about who they are and what they add to the NHS as members of the public experience it on a day to day basis. 

There is the potential for the public to understand that health needs vary from one part of the country to another and that someone has to decide what local priorities should be.

Key points to communicate:

In light of this, the most important messages appear to be:

• the PCT is the local arm of the NHS
• the PCT has a finite budget for primary care
• health needs vary from place to place (and from PCT to PCT)
• because needs vary, health service priorities need to be established; this is an essential function

The PCT does this, by:

• referring to the information it gets from health professionals and other sources
• deciding how to allocate its budget

PCTs would also like to take account of public views in deciding its priorities and how best to meet them. Whatever the findings of public consultation, the PCT will listen and will tailor services accordingly.

Nature of information

As far as other elements of content are concerned, information needs to make clear which parts of the NHS come under the auspices of PCTs, and where hospitals fit in.  Localised information is helpful: it allows people to see the effects of PCTs’ decisions in real terms and enables them to relate these to their own experiences.

Language and tone of messages

In relation to language and tone, it is important to communicate that the local tailoring of NHS services by PCTs is a positive part of their role: it means services will meet local needs and it is not about reducing services.  References to hospital closures as examples of PCTs’ decisions are unhelpful and reinforce negativity; they are best avoided.  Insofar as possible language needs to be simple, direct and informational, and avoid trying too hard to sell PCTs generally or the local PCT.

Consulting the public

There is limited interest in the idea of expressing opinions on local health services and providing input to PCTs’ decisions.  Members of the public are doubtful that they have the expertise to provide useful input, and cynical that their views will be considered.  If they are asked their views they need to have questions framed carefully in terms of budget, costs of services and the trade-off between different services.  Of the mechanisms for consulting the public, the ideal is probably a mix of questionnaires and face-to-face sessions.

Renaming PCTs

There is some support for the idea of re-naming PCTs NHS Local Area, though feelings about this are not strong.  Positively it would reassert the fact that PCTs are part of the NHS and it would diminish the feeling that PCTs are an extra layer of management.  There are also risks to doing this: the public would react badly to stories about expenditure on re-branding; and there is the possibility of confusion with SHAs.