Although your access group may not necessarily come into contact with them very often – if at all – you should also be aware of how certain other structures work, such as health services and police authorities.

Health services

These include:

• local Health Authority
• hospital trusts
• primary health services (GP fundholders, for example)
• Local Health Planning Boards
• Primary Care Trusts (PCT)

Between them, they are responsible for health service buildings, doctor and dentist surgeries, and pharmacists and opticians. Note, however, that some of these are now privatised, therefore are no longer publicly controlled.

Any issues regarding these services should be directed to the local area's PCT.

• For further information about local authority structures for health, visit the IdeA website.
• The BBC's website has further information about the overall structure of the NHS.

Police authorities

It is important to establish a good working relationship with the local police force so that there is a mutual understanding of issues such as the abuse of parking spaces for disabled people and the importance of effective enforcement. The police also have responsibility to monitor parking and cycling on pavements, both of which may be a hazard for visually impaired people – or indeed, to anyone when the pavement width is reduced.

For further advice on your local police authority, visit the UK Police Service website.