New personal health budget sites launched by NHS England

NHS England has accelerated the rollout of personal health budgets with the launch of seven new sites across the country.

These special demonstrator sites will work with patients, commissioners, GPs and other health workers to provide a greater understanding of how the budgets could improve outcomes for users of mental health services.

Each of the seven sites will spend 18 months working to understand more about how the budgets can be financially sustained and encouraging their use by a greater number of clinical commissioning groups, providers and clinicians.

Personal health budgets give patients greater control over their own care and could help more people to benefit from gym memberships, college courses, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychotherapy, rather than relying on hospital treatment and medication.

Martin McShane, NHS England's director for patients with long-term conditions, said: "The budgets allow people to choose support and treatment that will help keep them well, with the support of their doctors and nurses."

The scheme was formally introduced in November 2012 following the conclusion of a three-year pilot programme.