Towards primary care groups Managing the future in Bradford

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Abstract
This is the first of four articles showing how primary care groups have been set up in various areas in Britain This paper describes the processes and experiences of key players in Bradford, West Yorkshire, of setting up primary care groups (PCGs)—from initial reactions to the government's white paper,1 through configuration and establishing the boards, to planning and delivering the main tasks before going live on 1 April 1999. Bradford is one of the 10 largest cities in England. Bradford Health Authority serves the population of the city and surrounding areas. It is an area of great diversity, which incorporates some moderately affluent suburban communities as well as areas of substantial deprivation, poor housing, and high unemployment (box). The area is lively and culturally rich and includes some of the most beautiful countryside in England. The diversity of the area is also reflected in its primary care provision. This includes two total purchasing pilots (groups of general practitioners who purchase hospital and community health services outside fundholding).1 A range of fundholding practices have collaborated to develop joint contracts for commissioning a range of services. The district also has a substantial number of singlehanded practices, particularly in the inner city, and many of these have collaborated to form a support organisation for small practices. Despite the diverse needs of the communities served by primary care services in Bradford, sharing ideas between practices and working collaboratively is, in certain parts of the district, established. The district has recently become a health action zone and aims to build on existing partnerships across agencies and to work to reduce health inequalities. #### Summary points

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