ABSTRACT
Health authorities manage and coordinate groups of organisations, which together make up a health community. They are charged with delivering governmental priorities by catalysing local action to improve health, reduce health inequalities, integrate services for patients and improve service quality. The broader health agenda requires close working and partnership with other agencies including social services, local government and the voluntary sector. Health services work to national standards identified in a series of National Service Frameworks, which cover a number of major health conditions. Delivery targets are set for a number of key issues, including waiting times and numbers of patients on waiting lists. Improvements to services are achieved by the effective commissioning of services by health authorities and primary care organisations. Shifting the balance of power will transfer most of these responsibilities to primary care trusts while the new strategic health authorities will become responsible for performance management, performance and capacity development and for ensuring delivery.
