Practice-based commissioning is to be extended to cover hospital staff in a move that may intensify the competition for funding between primary and secondary care.
Under the plans, outlined by health minister Lord Darzi, hospital trusts will be encouraged to buy in services under PBC.
Consultants, hospital nurses and allied health professionals - including physiotherapists and midwives - will be given the opportunity to reorganise healthcare services and develop proposals for new income streams.
Lord Darzi, speaking on the anniversary of his NHS Next Stage Review, said widening out commissioning powers was now seen as a more effective way of driving improvements than setting a new array of central targets.
But PBC leaders warned the plan risked further undermining GP engagement in PBC, and could divert money into hospitals’ coffers.
Read more at Pulse.
