Responding to the King's Fund report Variations in Health Care: the good, the bad and the inexplicable, PCT Network director David Stout said: 

"This report provides useful advice for the NHS in tackling unwarranted and unacceptable variations in the services and treatments it offers. 

"There are many different reasons why variations come about and we must remember that not all variation is bad. For example some variations reflect differences in health needs of the local population due to differences in demographics. Commissioners rightly invest in different services based on these needs.

"The key is to identify what is “good” variation and what is “bad” – this is fundamental to improving the care patients receive.

"Studies show shared decision making between doctors and patients is one effective approach to driving down 'bad' variation in services which has been driven by the preferences of clinicians rather than the needs or wishes of patients.

"Getting this right will be a central challenge for the NHS as we continue the drive to find £20 billion of savings."

The PCT Network represents the majority of primary care trusts in England. It was established in December 2006 to provide a distinct voice for PCTs. The Network is part of the NHS Confederation;

The NHS Confederation is the only body to bring together the full range of organisations that make up the modern NHS. We are an independent membership organisation that represents all types of providers and commissioners of NHS services in England. We also represent trusts and health care boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

Contact Francesca Reville 020 7074 3312, 07884 473086 or Niall Smith 020 7074 3304, 07767 770309 or James Pritchard 020 7074 3306, 07525 681567.  For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.