PBC 2 years on: moving forward and making a difference

In 2007, a straw poll of GPs and practice managers by The King’s Fund and NHS Alliance found that primary care trusts (PCTs) were struggling to put in place the basic building blocks of practice-based commissioning (PBC). Two years on, has PBC moved forward and is it making a difference to patient care? A new poll has found continuing commitment to PBC and optimism about its potential but progress is still hampered by a lack of local vision, a lack of clarity over roles and responsibilities and bureaucratic governance processes. Moving into an era of restricted financial resources, it will become increasingly important for PCTs and practices to work together. Real clinician engagement – underpinned by locally developed visions, structures, agreements and lines of accountability – is key to the development of effective partnership working.

Published July 2009, 16 pages

Working better together? Managing local strategic partnerships

The Audit Commission national study 'Working better together? Managing local strategic partnerships' reviews arrangements for performance, resource management, and governance. The report identifies LSPs as evolving and maturing, local and national partners still need to recognise the key dynamics that support partnership working. Too few LSPs take an area-wide approach to performance and resource management. Some LSPs have well developed performance arrangements, but less developed resource management. And most LSPs have progress to make on their improvement journey if they are to deliver sustainable community strategy and LAA outcomes. LSPs that have good, shared systems for performance management (with performance reporting, resource allocation, and risk management) will find it easier to show that they are on track to achieve agreed outcomes than those that do not.

Published April 2009

The role of the Primary Care Trust board in world class commissioning

This DH document forms part of the wider WCC board development programme. It provides an update on the role and purpose of the PCT board in the context of world class commissioning.

This document aims to provide consolidated guidance on:

• the role and functions of the PCT;
• the role of the PCT board;
• the composition of the PCT board;
• the competencies and characteristics of a high-performing PCT board; and
• key sources of further guidance.

(Published November 2008, 25 pages)

Opportunities available now to support Trust Board development for world class commissioning

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement commissions a number of programmes and activities that support Board development for world class commissioning. In addition to the opportunities listed on their site, other programmes are in development and will be launched in the coming months.