DoH publishes PBC GP practice survey

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the publication if its fourth quarterly survey of practice based commission (PBC) for GPs.

It covers a number of practices from each primary care trusts (PCTs) and was conducted between June and August 2008.

The goal of the latest survey is to get feedback from doctors on the support offered by PCTs and the financial and clinical engagement of practices with the PBC system.

According to the results of the survey, net support for PBC rose again from Wave 1, marking a 12 per cent rise since then to 49 points.

“The percentage of practices commissioning new services as a direct result of PBC continues to rise as it has in each of the previous waves,” the DoH said.

In total, 46 per cent of practices commissioned at least one new service as a result of PBC, up from 33 per cent when measured in Wave 1.

Furthermore, the number of practices agreeing that the scheme has enhanced patient care increased from 16 per cent in Wave 3 to 18 per cent in the current wave.

In December 2006, the DoH announced its target to introduce PBC throughout the NHS by the end of that year was all but met with a month to spare.