(2) what the mechanism is for allocating funding for the vascular checks programme to primary care trusts.
Phased implementation of the programme will begin in April 2009 and on 13 November we published a “Next Steps” guide to help primary care trusts (PCTs) to commission the service. A copy has been placed in the Library. We will continue to work with our statements to provide advice and support on the implementation and delivery of the vascular checks programme.
The funding for the vascular checks programme is included in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 PCT revenue allocations, announced on 8 December.
Funding is allocated to PCTs on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each PCT’s target share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need.
The components of the formula are used to weight each PCT’s ‘crude’ population according to their relative need (age, and additional need) for health care and the unavoidable geographical differences in the cost of providing health care (market forces factor).