Family health focus

The government plans to focus "more closely" on family health services, health secretary Patricia Hewitt said yesterday.

A document to be released by the department of health will set out "a vision" for family health services "fit for the 21st century", Ms Hewitt said.

The new health secretary promised that patients would help to shape the new policies.

Ms Hewitt told a conference of managers: "Over the next few months as I go round visiting the front-line for myself, listening and learning, I want you - leaders from all parts of the NHS and Social Care - to consult staff in your organisations and users in your areas about what sort of family health services they want to see.

"It is vital that any future changes should come from the bottom up and not be imposed from the top down."

She added: "The point of contact for most people with the NHS and Social Care system is their GP or other non-hospital services.

"Half-way through our ten-year programme of investment and reform, it is now time to focus more closely on the family health services provided by GPs, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics and others in primary and non-scheduled care."