Your NHS

In this section you can find out about:

• Equality & diversity
• Emergency planning information
• Freedom of information
• The NHS Constitution
• Medicines optimisation
• Summary care records
• Developing local services

Your NHS

The NHS across England is made up of organisations that plan and buy healthcare; and organisations that provide services to patients.

In 2011/12, primary care trusts (PCTs) were responsible for planning and buying healthcare (this is generally known as healthcare “commissioning”). NHS Trusts, local GP practices, voluntary organisations and some private companies, for example, are service providers.

In April 2013, new organisations called Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) officially took over local healthcare commissioning after working alongside the PCTs in shadow form, and PCTs have now been abolished. 

As commissioners, we will be responsible for using public funds to improve the health of our local population. We buy your health services from GPs, dentists, pharmacies, the voluntary sector, community and mental health services and from hospitals locally and further afield.

Main NHS hospitals: Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge, The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and Whipp’s Cross Hospital in Waltham Forest.

South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust provides most NHS community services, such as district nurses and community hospital services, across Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford.

North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides most NHS mental health services across Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford.