What is the ‘indicative budget’ for PBC?
This refers to the amount of money that the PCT anticipates will be spent on providing services for the registered population of an individual practice. This is calculated using demographic considerations and disease prevalence indicators. The scope of the budget must cover, at least, planned hospital-based care, prescribing, community services and mental health services. The aim is to give the practice an insight into how healthcare resources are consumed by the local community and a framework within which it can consider how to make best use of these funds and cost proposals for service development or re-design. The budget is ‘indicative’ because the PCT actually holds and administers the funds in line with the clinical referral decisions and agreements.
