PCTs receive mixed ratings from PBC commissioners
pharmafile | December 14, 2009 | News story | |Â Â PBC, primaryÂ
PCTs have received a mixed report from practice-based commissioners, less than a third of who rate the quality of PCT feedback on business case decisions as good.
The findings come as part of a new style of survey asking GPs for their responses to practice based commissioning (PBC).
Instead of taking a random sample of GP practices, the government is now asking questions directly of practice-based commissioners, such as lead individuals within PBC groups and independent practices.
The Department of Health believes this tweak in methodology will provide a better reflection of the support that PCTs give them.
“We’re able to see what impact PBC is having in the eyes of those who are the driving force for innovation and improvements in quality of care in their community,” said health minister Mike O’Brien.
PBC was launched in 2005 and the GP survey has been produced quarterly since August 2007.
It aims to give a snapshot of the perception of support offered by GPs’ PCTs and on the clinical and financial engagement of practices with PBC.
The government stresses that the first of the new surveys, conducted between October and November this year, shows PBC is helping to bring care closer to patients.
Yet while 82% of leads say they have a good relationship with their PCT, two in five (39%) report that PBC has not had much influence over the way their practice works.
However, 80% believe that access to services has improved at least a little, with 77% saying their actions are now more cost effective and provide a better patient experience.
And 57% rate the quality of management support as good, while 54% report that PBC has influenced the clinical practice of the GP practices within their group. Just 6% say there has been no influence.
More than four in five leads (84%) report receiving a PBC budget from their PCT and 80% have agreed a PBC commissioning plan.
The revised methodology was developed together with the ten Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs), some PCTs and commissioners themselves. SHAs will respond to the survey findings early next year
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