A message from our Chair, Ruth FitzJohn

Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust will bring a fresh look to the way it delivers its responsibilities, putting the aim of improving people's lifelong health experience at the heart of the organisation. This is an exciting time for the NHS in Gloucestershire as decision making on health moves to a more local level.

I know that how we are treated when we are ill is really important to everyone. Part of our role is to help ensure that the highest standards for this are set and met. Building on what works well now, seeking areas to make progress for GPs and their teams, innovating with the hospitals to find different and better approaches where things are not good enough, experimenting with Social Services to blur the frontiers that get in the way: this is why the PCT is here.

However, we also have an equally important role that focuses on health not just sickness. Forget organisational boundaries for a moment, and then think about the roles that housing, education, environment, leisure, exercise and nutrition play in health.

For example, too many older people are being admitted to hospital because they have fallen and fractured a hip - often leading to loss of independence. Of course we want to ensure the best possible treatment in hospital but wouldn't it be so much better if we could prevent people falling in the first place? So we are working with our partners to help people stay fit - not just through exercise on prescription at leisure centres but by offering exercise programmes in community centres and sheltered housing units. Pharmacists are involved checking people's medication to make sure that this is not making them dizzy. We have a scheme with social services, local practices and A&E to identify first time fallers assessing how we can help, for example with social services providing quick access to support equipment for the home. The Councils are also involved now offering telephone hotlines for pavement repairs. Together we can make a difference.

I know improving health and health care will be a challenge, but if not now, when? If not here, where? I am so ambitious for what can be achieved for Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, with a committed and able PCT determined to support and empower our community and GP teams, hospitals, local authority and voluntary group partners and customers: all working together to improve health - for life.

Ms Ruth FitzJohn
Chair
Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust