- NHS Barnet
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NHS Barnet (legally known as Barnet Primary Care Trust) is the statutory NHS body responsible for improving the health of the resident population within the London Borough of Barnet. NHS Barnet commissions (buys) services for the second largest London borough, both in terms of geographical size and population (currently estimated at 331,500).
Barnet Primary Care Trust was established on 1 April 2001, taking on functions previously undertaken by the three former Barnet Primary Care Groups and Barnet Health Authority. The Trust also assumed responsibility for the community services previously provided by Barnet Healthcare NHS Trust (other than mental health services, which are provided by the Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust). In May 2009 Barnet Primary Care Trust rebranded to be called NHS Barnet in line with a national move to create a ‘one-stop’ contact for all NHS services for patients. In legal terms the organisation remains Barnet Primary Care Trust. On 1 April 2010 it was announced that Barnet Community Services, the provider arm of the Trust will be moving away to be hosted by the Central London Community Healthcare Trust (subject to due diligence).
Working in partnership with the local authority, the voluntary sector and other health-related agencies, NHS Barnet aims, where possible, to ensure that health services are available for patients closer to their home and centralised where necessary.
NHS Barnet is responsible for managing the local health system, for developing services and for making financial investments.
To deliver a comprehensive health programme, NHS Barnet commissions services from GPs, dentists, optometrists, community pharmacists, private providers, voluntary sector, acute hospitals and mental health trusts. Together, NHS Barnet and its commissioned providers provide a range of services at health centres and clinics across the Borough and at the Trust’s two main community hospitals (Edgware Community Hospital, rebuilt and re-opened in February 2005 and Finchley Memorial Hospital, due to be rebuilt in 2012).
Annual budgets
NHS Barnet holds an annual budget of approximately £500 million (this figure fluctuates annually). Approximately 50% of this is spent on acute care commissioning. The Local Guide to Health Services [1] in Barnet provides a further breakdown of how this money is spent.
References
Local Guide to Health Services [1]
External links
Categories:- London Borough of Barnet
- NHS Primary Care Trusts
- NHS London
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