GMSQP Reference Manual 

HG SCREEN

THE HG SCREEN  

(PCO Maintenance) 

The HG screens are used to create and maintain information on Primary Care 

Organisations (PCOs).  A PCO is a grouping of GP practices.  Each practice itself 

consists of a number of GPs. 

PCGs 

The HG screen was originally developed to provide a means of recording information 

about Primary Care Groups (PCGs).  The concept of Primary Care Groups (PCGs) 

was announced in the Government White Paper  The New NHS: Modern, 

Dependable .  PCGs are being introduced at a level between GP practices and HAs to 

provide a direct means by which GPs (and their primary care team) and community 

nurses, working in co operation with other health and social care professionals, can 

lead the process of securing appropriate, high quality care for local people. 

PCGs were introduced at four different levels: 

Level 1 

An advisory group seeking to influence the HA 

Level 2 

A group with nominal devolved budgets 

Level 3 

An independent body with devolved budgets 

Level 4 

An independent body with devolved budgets and provider of 

community services 

PCTs 

PCGs which progressed to level 3 or 4 and became freestanding bodies became known 

as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).  PCGs were eventually superseded by PCTs in about 

2001. 

Care Trusts 

In some parts of England, Care Trusts exist as alternatives to PCTs.  A Care Trust is a 

body that combines some or all of the functions of a PCT, an NHS Trust and a Local 

Authority.  

Local Health Boards (Wales only) 

The Welsh equivalent of a Primary Care Group is a Local Health Group (or LHG).  

On 1st April 2003, all current Welsh LHGs became Local Health Boards (LHBs). 

On the HG screens, the screen title will be either  PCG Maintenance Screen  (as 

described in this chapter) or  LHB Screen Maintenance , according to whether the 

HA System is in England or Wales and/or the PCO is responsible to an English or 

Welsh HA. 

  Crown Copyright 2005 

Version: 1.26 

Section 1   

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