Personal budget start-up costs £150,000

Published on Monday, 25 July 2011 12:16

Posted by Scott Buckler

An evaluation report says PHBs (personal health budgets) would take two years to implement and cost PCTs an average of £146,000 to set up (July 25th)

The Cost of Implementing Personal Health Budgets, a third interim evaluation of 20 in-depth pilot sites, was published last week by the Department of Health.

It examines the costs associated with setting up PHBs, including those for management, budget setting, staff training, development of a role for the private and voluntary sectors, and contract renegotiation.

The BMA has reservations about PHBs. The association recognises that some patients would like more control over their healthcare, but it has expressed concern about NHS funds being wasted on non-evidence-based treatments, the administrative burden of setting and monitoring care plans, and the potential for unfairness if only certain patients get extras.

Two more reports are expected. The final report is due in October 2012.

Care services minister Paul Burstow (pictured) said: ‘PHBs aim to reduce unplanned appointments or hospital admissions, which is better for individuals, their families and the system.’

Source: BMA