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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Practice-Based Commissioning?

Practice-based commissioning (PBC) is about empowering GPs and other clinicians such as nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals to shape the health and healthcare of local populations. Working in partnership with their Primary Care Trust (PCT), GPs can create a more in-depth understanding of the long-term health needs of the local community and plan and deliver services to better address these specific needs.

How does PBC link in with the PCT (Primary Care Trust)?

PBC lies at the heart of the World Class Commissioning (WCC) programme. Under WCC all PCTs have developed strategic plans for their area, which map out the priorities for improvements in local health and well-being. It is the PCT’s role to provide the strategic leadership for commissioning the right services to deliver these health improvements. Key to being world class is their ability to work in partnership with clinicians to gain vital ‘on the ground’ understanding of patient needs.

What is the role of GPs?

PBC recognises the central role of primary care clinicians, through the hundreds of thousands of treatment and referral decisions they make each day, in using NHS resources to deliver care. PBC gives local clinicians much greater power and influence, working in partnership with PCTs, to shape how resources are invested, offering a direct role in designing and buying the services that will deliver better health, better care and better value for local people.

How does PBC affect the local population?

Practice-based commissioners are able to shift care into more local settings that provide more convenient, integrated care for patients. This can mean a greater range of services available within GP surgeries themselves, in other local settings and in people’s own homes. It can include both specialist care for particular conditions such as diabetes or chronic pain and health and wellbeing services that help people reduce the risk of developing long term conditions.