NHS Barnet
Encyclopedia
NHS Barnet is the statutory NHS
body responsible for improving the health
of the resident population within the London Borough of Barnet
. NHS Barnet commissions (buys) services for the second largest London borough
, both in terms of geographical size and population
(currently estimated at 331,500).
Barnet Primary Care Trust was established on 1 April 2001, taking on functions previously undertaken by the three former Barnet Primary Care Groups and Barnet Health Authority. The Trust also assumed responsibility for the community services previously provided by Barnet Healthcare NHS Trust (other than mental health
services, which are provided by the Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust). In May 2009 Barnet Primary Care Trust rebranded to be called NHS Barnet in line with a national move to create a ‘one-stop’ contact for all NHS services for patients. In legal terms the organisation remains Barnet Primary Care Trust. On 1 April 2010 it was announced that Barnet Community Services, the provider arm of the Trust will be moving away to be hosted by the Central London Community Healthcare Trust (subject to due diligence
).
Working in partnership with the local authority, the voluntary sector
and other health-related agencies, NHS Barnet aims, where possible, to ensure that health services are available for patient
s closer to their home and centralised where necessary.
NHS Barnet is responsible for managing the local health system
, for developing services and for making financial investment
s.
To deliver a comprehensive health programme, NHS Barnet commissions services from GPs
, dentist
s, optometrists, community pharmacist
s, private providers, voluntary sector, acute hospitals and mental health trusts. Together, NHS Barnet and its commissioned providers provide a range of services at health centres and clinic
s across the Borough and at the Trust’s two main community hospital
s (Edgware Community Hospital, rebuilt and re-opened in February 2005 and Finchley Memorial Hospital, due to be rebuilt in 2012).
Annual budgets
NHS Barnet holds an annual budget
of approximately £500 million (this figure fluctuates annually). Approximately 50% of this is spent on acute care
commissioning. The Local Guide to Health Services http://www.barnet.nhs.uk/ec/Folders/PreviewDoc.asp?id=4387 in Barnet provides a further breakdown of how this money is spent.
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
body responsible for improving the health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
of the resident population within the London Borough of Barnet
London Borough of Barnet
The London Borough of Barnet is a London borough in North London and forms part of Outer London. It has a population of 331,500 and covers . It borders Hertfordshire to the north and five other London boroughs: Harrow and Brent to the west, Camden and Haringey to the south-east and Enfield to the...
. NHS Barnet commissions (buys) services for the second largest London borough
London borough
The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.-Functions:...
, both in terms of geographical size and population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
(currently estimated at 331,500).
Barnet Primary Care Trust was established on 1 April 2001, taking on functions previously undertaken by the three former Barnet Primary Care Groups and Barnet Health Authority. The Trust also assumed responsibility for the community services previously provided by Barnet Healthcare NHS Trust (other than mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
services, which are provided by the Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust). In May 2009 Barnet Primary Care Trust rebranded to be called NHS Barnet in line with a national move to create a ‘one-stop’ contact for all NHS services for patients. In legal terms the organisation remains Barnet Primary Care Trust. On 1 April 2010 it was announced that Barnet Community Services, the provider arm of the Trust will be moving away to be hosted by the Central London Community Healthcare Trust (subject to due diligence
Due diligence
"Due diligence" is a term used for a number of concepts involving either an investigation of a business or person prior to signing a contract, or an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly apply to voluntary investigations...
).
Working in partnership with the local authority, the voluntary sector
Voluntary sector
The voluntary sector or community sector is the sphere of social activity undertaken by organizations that are for non-profit and non-governmental. This sector is also called the third sector, in reference to the public sector and the private sector...
and other health-related agencies, NHS Barnet aims, where possible, to ensure that health services are available for patient
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....
s closer to their home and centralised where necessary.
NHS Barnet is responsible for managing the local health system
Health system
A health system can be defined as the structured and interrelated set of all actors and institutions contributing to health improvement. The health system boundaries could then be referred to the concept of health action, which is "any set of activities whose primary intent is to improve or...
, for developing services and for making financial investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
s.
To deliver a comprehensive health programme, NHS Barnet commissions services from GPs
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
, dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
s, optometrists, community pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
s, private providers, voluntary sector, acute hospitals and mental health trusts. Together, NHS Barnet and its commissioned providers provide a range of services at health centres and clinic
Clinic
A clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
s across the Borough and at the Trust’s two main community hospital
Community hospital
A Community hospital can be purely a nominal designation or have a more specific meaning. Specific mention of Community hospitals is encountered in the following countries:-- Thailand :...
s (Edgware Community Hospital, rebuilt and re-opened in February 2005 and Finchley Memorial Hospital, due to be rebuilt in 2012).
Annual budgets
NHS Barnet holds an annual budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
of approximately £500 million (this figure fluctuates annually). Approximately 50% of this is spent on acute care
Acute care
Acute care is a branch of secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery...
commissioning. The Local Guide to Health Services http://www.barnet.nhs.uk/ec/Folders/PreviewDoc.asp?id=4387 in Barnet provides a further breakdown of how this money is spent.
External links
- NHS Barnet website http://www.barnet.nhs.uk
- NHS Barnet young persons website http://www.bu21.org.uk