Practice Based Commissioning

The Department of Health defines practice-based commissioning (PBC)  as putting clinicians at the heart of PCT commissioning and allowing groups of family doctors and community clinicians to develop better services for their local communities. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are the budget holders and have overall accountability for healthcare commissioning, however practice-based commissioning is crucial at all stages of the commissioning process. In particular, practice based commissioners, working closely with PCTs and secondary care clinicians, will lead the work on deciding clinical outcomes. They also play a key supporting role to PCTs by providing valuable feedback on provider performance. PBC is about engaging practices and other primary care professionals in the commissioning of services. Through PBC, front line clinicians are being provided with the resources and support to become more involved in commissioning decisions. Practice based commissioning will lead to high quality services for patients in local and convenient settings. GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals are in the prime position to translate patient needs into redesigned services that best deliver what local people want.   Please click here for further information on PBC.