Managing the Fundholding Practice: Who Does What?

Reports a study of fundholding in general practice in the Northern Region and notes that although fundholding may have changed the role of practice managers and some general practitioners, the structure of authority remains unaltered. It appears that decision making remains the prerogative of the clinical partners and reliant on the establishment of consensus as the decision‐making approach. Notes that a key feature of fundholding was to enable general practices to develop as small businesses, formulating business plans and setting up management systems supported by computer technology. However, the practices explored within this particular study appear to be working well within the new system despite the continuation of traditional approaches. The outcome in the long term remains to be seen.