About Us
A new organisation launched on 1 October 2006 as NHS South West Essex, following the merger of the former Basildon; Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford; and Thurrock PCTs. The organisation is responsible for the healthcare of more than 420,000 people across the boroughs of Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock. It is responsible for planning, developing and buying or providing all healthcare services, including hospital and mental health care as well as supporting the development of the services from GPs, dentists, pharmacists and optometrists.
The PCT is also responsible for improving the health of local people, including reducing the amount of smoking, tackling obesity and improving sexual health. Increasingly much of this work is being done in partnership with other local organisations, including local councils and the voluntary sector.
The PCT itself employs nearly 1,500 people, of which more than 1,000 are clinical staff, including district nurses, health visitors and therapists.
From 1st April 2008 The PCT has separated their Provider Services and Commissioning functions.
Provider Services
Recent NHS plans have signalled a significant change in the strategic direction for the NHS with patients being offered more holistic and personalised care with better access, and funding increasingly following the patient. The continuing emphasis is on care being moved away from acute trusts, patients being given more choice with their treatments and providing greater transparency on treatment costs to ensure value for money. Investment in community provision will be essential to the future of patient care.
Provider Services has successfully restructured, bringing together staff from the former Basildon, Brentwood and Billericay, Wickford and Thurrock PCTs into a single structure. Our goal is to be a vibrant organisation that provides the very best patient centred services. We are embracing the government policy of increasing competition and are keen to demonstrate that our services are providing value for money.
