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GP commissioning could see private sector come to the fore
The coalition government’s proposals for GP commissioning could have wide ranging implications for the private sector, according to a number of commentators.
The plans, set out in July’s White Paper and supporting consultation documents, outline radical changes to the way commissioning will be carried out. PCTs and SHAs will be abolished by April 2013/14 with GP consortia expected to take over the reins, and a new NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for calculating and overseeing their budgets. Every GP practice will have commissioning responsibility written into its contract by April 2013 and all practices will be compelled to join a commissioning group. According to the DH, GP consortia will be responsible for commissioning ‘the great majority of NHS services’ – including elective hospital care, rehabilitative care, urgent and emergency care, most community services and mental health services – except primary medical services, dentistry, community pharmacy and primary ophthalmic services. These will come under the remit of the NHS Commissioning Board. The coalition also hopes to eventually move towards a ‘single contractual and funding model for GP practices.’ The amount of money allocated to each consortium will hinge on the size of the population covered by the group and the level of deprivation within their geographical remit. Although the scheme has echoes of fundholding, GPs will not be permitted to profit from savings consortia make or be liable for losses incurred.
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010
