Through a number of different mechanisms, practice-based commissioning (PBC) was intended to improve patient care. Firstly, it was meant to increase clinician involvement in the commissioning of new services for patients. Secondly, PBC made it easier for GPs to develop new services themselves. Thirdly, through the greater familiarity of local budgets and Payment by Results (PBR), GPs were meant to feel financially accountable for their referral decisions.
