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The Department of Health has reported that universal coverage of practice-based commissioning (PBC) has been achieved by all PCTs in England. Figures for December 2006 show that 7849 practices out of 8433 (93%) have taken up an incentive payment to participate in PBC.1

In addition, it was announced that the effects of PBC are already becoming apparent, with data from 'early adopters' showing that practices have reduced patient referrals for hospital treatment by up to 33%.2 For example, a cooperative has been set up by GPs within the London borough of Kingston, and in the first three months of this initiative, GPs in the consortium have reduced patient referrals to secondary care by 25%.1 However, not all patients will benefit from PBC as it does not extend to all clinical areas. This was highlighted this month by the Mental Health Foundation and the publication of Primary concerns: a better deal for mental health in primary care.3 This report sets out the issues that need to be addressed, which will ensure that primary care mental heath services can offer accessible and inclusive services for patients. Whether mental health will be included in the 2008–2009 standard national tariff for payment by results remains to be seen.

Although PBC is still in its infancy, there are a number of resources on-line to help GPs, including several commissioning guides that accompany NICE guidance;2 and the Improvement Foundation website on PBC, which includes business cases as well as case studies of redesigned services that have benefited patients.4

In addition, please look out for an article by Dr David Jenner on PBC and what it really means for GPs, which will be featured in a future issue of Guidelines in Practice.

Julia Morris, Editor
julia.morris@mgp.ltd.uk

References

1. www.gnn.gov.uk
2. www.nice.org.uk
3. www.mentalhealth.org.uk
4. www.improvementfoundation.orgG