How we fit into the NHS structure

PCTs currently control 80 per cent of the national NHS budget. For NHS Dorset in 2009/10, this meant a budget of more than £600 million.

NHS Dorset has set up six localities within the organisation, each with a locality manager. This helps us to understand the health needs of our local communities so we can ensure that our budget is spent in the best way to help meet those needs.

We also work within priorities set nationally by the Department of Health and regionally by the South West Strategic Health Authority, known as NHS South West.