Doncaster is one of twenty sites across England which has been selected to participate in a Department of Health national study to explore the benefits of Personal Budgets for healthcare.

NHS Doncaster is currently piloting Personal Health Budgets (PHBs) within continuing healthcare and mental health.
At present, NHS Doncaster is only able to allocate notional Personal Health Budgets which will be managed by the PCT. Within the mental health pilot the Personal Health Budgets will be managed via a third party and has contracted with Rethink. The NHS does not currently have the power to issue direct payments for healthcare to patients; however the Department of Health is currently seeking powers in the Health Bill to allow direct payments.

Working closely with their partners they are in the process of setting up systems and processes.  So far, they have allocated a Personal Health Budget to four clients within continuing healthcare, while nine clients within the mental health pilot have completed their self assessment questionnaires and are awaiting confirmation of their personal health budget.  Feedback from clients so far has been extremely positive.

Following the national evaluation of the pilots, if they prove to be successful, the aim is to integrate Personal Health Budgets into appropriate services within NHS Doncaster.

The study will be conducted through a partnership between three existing research teams at three institutions including the University of Kent.  The full evaluation will last three years, with newsletters, research summaries and interim reports made available online.

For any further information regarding the pilot, please contact Claire.Larner@doncasterpct.nhs.uk, Project Manager or Ashy.Shanker@doncasterpct.nhs.uk, Planning & Commissioning Manager.