Primary care trusts

Much of the 150million earmarked by the government to help carers never reached them. Where PCTs did pass on funds it has made a crucial difference. The author reports. [Journal abstract]

Looks at how Hertsmere Primary Care Trust and West Herts community health council are developing an initiative to involve patients, carers, families and general practitioners. They invited a fifth of patients to get involved in a shadow patients' forum and was heartened by people's eagerness to give something back.

The guidance looks at best practice for local commissioning partnerships to provide services to support carers of individuals with a drug problem. The document also covers how best to include carers (where appropriate) in the drug treatment of the individuals they are concerned for – citing the evidence base that demonstrates involving carers can improve outcomes for users. The guidance as a whole is predicated on the assumption that commissioners and services providers involve and consult carers in every stage of service design and delivery.