Description
The government has introduced the idea of public health
networks as a way of addressing the problem of limited public
health resources in Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). A
number of different concepts of such networks have been
proposed, which diverge considerably in the degree to which
networks are or are not formally organised and managed.
This paper presents data from interviews with PCT
Directors of Public Health and representatives of national
organisations concerned with the public health/primary care
interface. The views expressed were similarly diverse. Some
doubted whether networks were necessarily the best way for
PCTs to work together, and there were concerns that
territoriality might impede joint agendas. The efforts
required to establish networks may be significant and
expensive.
