The 481 Primary Care Groups launched in April 1999 face important challenges. This is the conclusion of the Audit Commission which has looked at a sample of groups and their initial responsibilities. A particular challenge will be for professionals and managers to find new ways of working together. 

Innovation and new thinking will be gathered, sifted and publicised by the new Centre for Management and Policy Studies. The vision presented by its Director, Professor Ron Amann, is an institution promoting coherent policy and co-ordinating service delivery.