When is a saving not a saving? The micro-politics of budgets and savings under practice-based commissioning

Abstract

This article reports findings from a qualitative study of the implementation and outcomes of Practice-Based Commissioning (PBC) in the English National Health Service. Focusing on the local construction of ‘budgets’ and ‘savings’, it reports in detail the issues that arose in the study sites, and discusses the implications for the future development of PBC.

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre from its core grant from the Department of Health. The views expressed are those of the researchers. We are grateful to our participants for the generous way in which they welcomed us into their organizations.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kath Checkland

Kath Checkland is a practising GP and Clinical Senior Lecturer, Health Policy, Politics & Organisation (HiPPO) research group, School of Community-Based Medicine, University of Manchester, UK.

Anna Coleman

Anna Coleman is Research Fellow, HiPPO, School of Community-Based Medicine, University of Manchester, UK.

Stephen Harrison

Stephen Harrison is Professor of Social Policy, HiPPO, School of Community-Based Medicine, University of Manchester, UK.