This page is a printable version of: http://www.onel.nhs.uk/about-us
Date: 16 May 2012
About us
At NHS North East London and the City, we are responsible for improving the health and well-being of local people, by commissioning (buying) a wide range of different health services. We need to make sure that appropriate services are available in the right place and at the right time, and that patients have a choice about where they go for treatment.
We do this by entering into agreements with health care providers, such as hospitals and community-based health services - which include health visiting, physiotherapy, district and school nursing. These services are provided in many places including health centres, schools, GP practices and at home. We also provide and develop primary care services in conjunction with GPs, dentists, opticians and pharmacists.
Who we are
From 1 April 2011 outer north east London primary care trusts worked together in one management and staff structure as a primary care trust cluster called NHS outer north east London.
From 1 April 2012 NHS East London and the City and NHS outer north east London joined together to form one cluster called NHS North East London and the City. The seven primary care trusts that make up the new cluster are: NHS Barking and Dagenham, NHS City and Hackney, NHS Havering, NHS Newham, NHS Redbridge, NHS Tower Hamlets and NHS Watham Forest.
What we do
We commission (buy) health services for people who live in Barking and Dagenham, City and Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. Our buying decisions are based on a range of information about what local people need and want.
We know that local people want services closer to their homes so they do not have to travel so far for outpatient appointments, like blood tests, and so we are trying to move some services away from hospitals and into community settings.
We want to make local services safer and better, with the best staff, equipment and facilities, so that local people get healthier.
What is a primary care trust?
Primary care trusts (PCTs) are the statutory bodies in England responsible for ensuring NHS services are available in a defined geographical area and for improving the health of people living in that area. This role is referred to as 'commissioning'.
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