Needs of older people in the community: issues for PCGs and PCTs

National policy (Department of Health, 1997, 2000) is directing care provision to being appropriate to meet people's needs; to be effective; evidence-based; efficient and economic. Primary care groups (PCGs) and trusts (PCTs) have been identified as being the organizations to deliver such care. Since the introduction of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990, certain issues have been highlighted as having implications for the provision of an 'ideal' service for older people on the community. These issues focus around three main areas: assessment of need; working in partnership and quality of service provision. This article discusses these issues and their implications for PCGs/PCTs in relation to supporting older people in the community.