Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Primary Care Trust was formed in April 2002. As a primary care trust we have 3 main responsibilities:

• Improving the health of local people by using our resources more effectively to target the health needs of the local population and improve access to health services.
  
  
• Developing primary (it is called 'primary' because it is usually the part of the NHS we first meet as patients. Family doctors, pharmacists, dentists and opticians are part of primary care) and community healthcare services, to improve the quality of care.
  
  
• Managing our two community hospitals in Tewkesbury and Winchcombe.
  
  
• Commissioning of hospital services for patients.