primary care trust

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primary care trust (PCT) n. one of a group of free-standing statutory bodies within the National Health Service, accountable to their local strategic health authority. PCTs have responsibility for the health-care needs of their local community; their aim is to improve the health of and address health inequalities in their communities. They receive budgets from the Department of Health to commission and provide primary care and community services across the local area and to commission hospital services for patients.