NHS spending

Primary care trusts (PCTs) spend around 75 per cent of the NHS budget in England. How do they decide on their spending priorities?

Published September 2008, 8 pages

King's Fund statement on NHS Operating Framework 2008/09

Commenting in response to the publication of the NHS Operating Framework for 2008/09, King’s Fund chief executive Niall Dickson said:

'It is right that the government should set national priorities and right too that they should maintain the assault on hospital infections and the drive to cut waiting time. These are areas that patients are justifiably concerned about and it is imperative the NHS makes progress in them.‘

Crucially, this document is an important step forward in getting to grips with what has long been the Achilles heel of the service – commissioning. The Department of Health is right to emphasise that better care and services will not be achieved through central directives and targets, but through better local commissioning led by primary care trusts (PCTs).

Care Outside Hospital

The NHS Operating Framework for 2008/2009 expects PCTs to take ambitious steps toward providing care as close to the patient's home as possible. NHS organisations need to focus their efforts on those areas most likely to bring significant benefits and to apply effective approaches to ensure that the change delivers.

Prioritise Opportunities: User Guide

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Toolkits

Primary Care Service Frameworks

PCC has published four Primary Care Service Frameworks: Long Term Conditions, Support for Self Care, Sexual Health and Obesity. Each Primary Care Service Framework is a generic, comprehensive and enhanced service specification for PCT commissioners and Practice Based Commissioners for 2007/08. Each Primary Care Service Framework has been developed in the context of the Commissioning Framework, White Paper implementation, key national priorities and targets, and delivery mechanisms of Practice Based Commissioning.