Q: What do you feel the role is for the PCT in Bromsgrove?

A: The big challenge for the PCT is to get everything to run smoothly. The PCT is a young organisation, only 12 months old, and is still in its formative stage. We need to ensure that we are accountable to the people of Bromsgrove and Redditch and that we communicate with them by holding and attending public meetings and by doing interviews like this. Our non-executive directors each have a clutch of five or six doctors' practices that they visit and people tell them things about the service and what needs improving. We want to empower practitioners to build up and develop health care. Clinical governance, which is ensuring the highest possible standards are followed, is very important for us. The patients' forum, which is due to start in April 2004, will be another way problems can be discussed and feelings aired.

Q: Why do you think the rumours began about the closure of the minor injuries unit?

A: I don't know where the rumours started. It could have come from anywhere. We've conducted reviews of the service at the minor injuries unit and when we do that the range of possibilities is always examined, ranging from doubling the service provision to closing the unit.

So one of the options presented to the Primary Executive Committee in an internal document was closing the unit. But we've set up a steering group made up of patients, doctors, councillors, members of the Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council and PCT staff. They will be able to look at all the options available and make a decision on how the minor injuries unit should carry on.

Maybe they'll decide that the unit should be open for longer hours, maybe they'll decide it should only be open on the weekend. They may even move the service back to doctors' surgeries. They will have to look at every option and make their decision based on the evidence they have. I understand when you're dealing with health; you're dealing with people's emotions.

Q: Have you asked GPs in Bromsgrove whether they think the minor injuries unit is used and useful to the community?

A: Bromsgrove and Redditch GPs make up the Primary Executive Committee so every decision that comes from the PCT has been made by them. They are the ones who look at all the options and will make the decision. We always have GP cover for the unit, so they are involved in the process throughout.

Q: Have you got the usage figures for the minor injuries unit?

Our figures show that 6,000 people per year use the unit. That works out at 26 people per day. We have three nurse practitioners at the unit so they see an average of one person per hour. The unit isn't being used to its full potential.

Q: What do you plan to do to raise the profile of the minor injuries unit so more people know about it?

A: I would like to see more of a communication strategy between the Princess of Wales Community Hospital and the Alex. I think it would be good if we could have signs, which showed the waiting times at the Alex and then the waiting times at the Princess of Wales, which are practically non-existent. We sent out a leaflet in October with the Advertiser/Messenger called Your Guide to Local Health Services, which outlined the minor injuries unit and the service it provides. The ambulances have been told that if there is someone who could be treated at the PoW to take them there. So we're trying to make more people aware of it.

Q: Do you think the minor injuries unit really needs to break-even financially or should it just be a service for when people need it?

A: The service at the unit is paid for, so it's not a case of whether it breaks even. It has been accounted for in our budget and there is no reason why it cannot continue. There is no date set against it. We just want to make sure it runs efficiently and provides the best service for the people. I want the PoW to have a central role in the health care of local people. It is our most valuable asset. It should be developed and optimised. I know some people are worried about the transport network to our sites, and improving that network is something I am very keen on. We want to devise a better access system. Transport should not be a barrier to health care. We fund the X33 and 350 buses in Redditch and Bromsgrove rural rides. I realise the PoW is not accessible by bus from Bromsgrove town centre and we need to work on that.

Q: What are your ambitions for the PCT?

A: I want health care in Bromsgrove and Redditch to become a single seamless structure. At the moment we are not masters of our own health care provision. I want us to be self-sufficient. There will always be certain things that can only be provided outside of our PCT. For example, we're never going to start doing heart transplants, but I want us to have more control over health care provision. I'm confident that we're doing all right at the moment. We've got a lot to build on but we have excellent managers, who I must pay credit to, and our finances are sound. But we depend on other health authorities and the Strategic Health Authority can cut our budget at any time. One of my ambitions is to achieve equality throughout the PCT so that wherever you live in Bromsgrove and Redditch you receive the same excellent treatment.

Q: Do you enjoy your job?

A: The short answer is yes. I do enjoy my job. When I see other PCTs across the country I realise how lucky we are.

We've got a good community, a good structure and good people. I have a happy, positive feeling about the future of the PCT. We're setting out to build on, not to undo, our good work. If we were fearful that we had to shut down a clinic we would want to say that. But it's not like that. We have a significant investment rate of nine per cent, which will be replicated next year and the year after. We are confident we can answer the health care needs of the people of Bromsgrove.