AS chief executive of Mid Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT), I would like to correct last week?s article about the impending health management shake-up, known as ?Commissioning a Patient-led NHS?. As readers will no doubt be aware the NHS has just finished a major consultation exercise about adjustments to primary care trust boundaries. Mid Devon PCT?s board has submitted its preferred option of three PCTs for the Devon local authority area (replacing the current six). This does not mean, as reported, that the board ?rejected? the option selected by the Mid Devon?s Patient and Public Involvement Forum; only that we were expressing different opinions from different standpoints. In the trust?s case, our point of view was formed following a three-month period in which the comments of the public, patients, local politicians, staff and a raft of others were taken into account. I would also like to point out that the board was firmly in favour of its chosen option, rather than reaching this view ?on balance? as indicated in your report. The board, and I am sure the people of Okehampton and the surrounding area, wish to see an NHS structure where local accountability continues to be given the importance that it deserves. Thank you for allowing me to make these points clear. Lesley Dunaway Chief executive Mid Devon PCT
