Practice Based Commissioning

Practice based commissioning (PBC) is changing how health services are commissioned. This web page is to keep the Voluntary & Community Sector informed about how PBC is being implemented in Leicestershire & Rutland, and what is being done to involve the voluntary & community sector.

What is practice based commissioning?

Practice based commissioning (PBC) is about GP practices taking on a delegated indicative budget from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) to become more involved in commissioning decisions for their local population. By building upon practices’ knowledge of their patients, it is designed to deliver a higher standard of patient care through improved commissioning, the redesign of services and the more efficient use of resources. To achieve effective service redesign, practices will need to engage with other partners including social care and the voluntary & community sector.

Voluntary sector organisations are well-placed to take on a greater role in providing services for their local communities.

Local context of PBC

The County Team, leading on PBC for Leicestershire & Rutland have split into ‘management zones,’ which reflect the old PCT boundaries, though this may change. For up-to-date information, follow the link to the Practice Based Commissioning Newsletter for Leicestershire & Rutland. (See "Further Information" below)

What is being done to involve the Voluntary & Community Sector in Leicestershire & Rutland?

1. A Practice Based Commissioning Working Group has been established to identify how the Voluntary & Community Sector can support service redesign and engage with GP practices, both at a countywide and locality level. Membership includes:

Leicestershire County & Rutland PCT:

• Ian Potter - Tel No: 0116 2955815

Voluntary & Community Sector:

• Gill Wollerton, CVS Community Partnership - Tel: 0116 2293028
• Jan Trigg, Blaby District Home-Start - Tel: 0116 2630270
• Sallianne Bishop, Charnwood CVS - Tel: 01509 631750

Purpose of the Working Group is to identify how the Voluntary & Community Sector can support service redesign and engage with GP Practices.

Key findings will be presented to the County Team leading on PBC, for discussion and agreement on how to take forward.

How can YOU be involved?

PBC Working Group – if you would like to join the Group contact Gill Wollerton

Examples of best practice - the Working Group has already collected information of where VCS groups are providing services to support Practice based commissioning. If you can add examples, contact Gill Wollerton.

2. VCS Portfolio in North West Leicestershire

A portfolio project has been adopted by Leicestershire & Rutland PCT to run a six month pilot. The portfolio includes a small sample of services provided by Voluntary Organisations in North West Leicestershire and three GP surgeries who will refer patients to these services when appropriate.

All the findings from the portfolio will be analysed, with the intention of rolling-out the programme countrywide.

The key outcomes we hope to see are:

• Improved relationships between VCS organisations and health providers
• Increased awareness of modern day services provided by the VCS
• New working initiatives (perhaps GPs commissioning services from the VCOs)
• Holistic approach
• Reduction in repeat visits to GPs for non-medical treatment
• Increased uptake of VCS services

For further information, please contact Sallianne Bishop on 01509 631785 or email sallianne.bishop@voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk

Further Information

PBC Newsletter for Leicestershire & Rutland

The Department of Health Website

The Department of Health website has further information about what practice based commissioning is and how it is changing commissioning.

Visit www.dh.gov.uk/pbc

The Care Services Improvement Partnership

The Care Services Improvement Partnership supports positive changes in services and in the wellbeing of vulnerable people with health and social care needs.

Visit www.csip.org.uk