Local accountability has been a significant policy issue within the NHS generally. However, primary care trusts are in the main accountable to the centre and there have been calls to review this. This paper discusses a range of options for reforming the relationships between PCTs and their public. It explores ...
This discussion paper examines psychosocial provision in the community for dying people, and argues that the new-found commissioning powers of primary care trusts (PCTs) are the key to unlocking better, more integrated care. PCTs are now in the position to: strengthen clinical governance within the new N.I.C.E. guidelines; improve education ...
This research summary, based on interviews with stakeholders in London and nationally, plus a review of recent policies and commentaries, analyses the public health issues faced by local strategists and managers, and offers recommendations to support the development of the function locally. It demonstrates the need to embrace the complexity ...
As part of its continuing efforts to reform the NHS, the government has introduced a number of incentives to help the health sector meet national targets and objectives for improving care. This paper examines whether these incentives are helping or hindering progress. Its findings are based on interviews with health ...
Primary care has been the subject of a quiet revolution in recent years, with the ending of the monopoly of provision by independently contracted GPs and the introduction of a range of new targets and new forms of first contact care. Now it is poised for further radical change with ...
Primary care trusts (PCTs) are struggling to deliver the demanding modernisation agenda set for them by ministers. In consequence, two new policy themes - stronger market incentives and the decentralisation of budgetary power - have been introduced to strengthen the commissioning role of PCTs. This discussion paper looks at how ...
The King's Fund's response to the Department of Health's consultation on options for the future of Payment by Results (PbR), investigating whether ambitions for PbR might be mutually exclusive, and whether, as a single policy lever, PbR can be expected to help achieve any or all of these ambitions.
Evidence from the King's Fund responding to the Health Select Committee's inquiry into potential changes to primary care trusts' functions and numbers arising from the Department of Health document, Commissioning a Patient-Led NHS.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) provide a broad and complex range of community-based services. However, the commissioning and management of these services have been a challenge for the NHS and in particular for PCTs. As PCTs provide community health services, there is a potential conflict of interest for their role as ...