Real budgets for GPs will present “significant challenges,” experts predict

The policy of giving GPs real budgets to commission health services could improve the care of patients and save money but will be difficult to implement, health experts say.

A joint report published on 23 June by six leading NHS organisations and think tanks says that several major challenges lie ahead if commissioning by GPs is to take off and succeed.

The report says that the new coalition government had made clear its intention to give GPs power and responsibility for holding real budgets and to commission health services on behalf of patients.

The organisations—the Nuffield Trust, National Association of Primary Care, NHS Alliance, NHS Confederation’s PCT …