One of the main functions of the PCT is to commission services for the Heart of Birmingham population. This includes all patients registered with Heart of Birmingham GPs and people who live in the Heart of Birmingham area but are not registered with a GP. Our total commissioning budget for 2007/08 is approximately £440 million. We use this to commission a full range of services for our population, including GP services, community and mental health services, local hospital services and specialised services. In total we have service agreements with over 100 organisations.

Click here for details of services the PCT commissions and how to become a PCT supplier.

Practice Based Commissioning
Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) is about engaging practices and other primary care professionals in the commissioning of services. Through PBC, front line clinicians are being provided with the resources and support to become more involved in commissioning decisions. GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals are in the prime position to translate patient needs into redesigned services that best deliver what local people want.

The Department of Health's expectation is that practice based commissioning will lead to high quality services for patients in local and convenient settings.

A range of documents are available which give more information about PBC locally. The commissioning plans give details of local health profiles and the commissioning priorities for these areas.

HoB tPCT PBC Operating Framework 2009-10

GP Locality Structure

Ladywood Commissioning Plan 2008-09

Perry Barr PBC Plan

Sparkbrook Commissioning Plan 08-09

Dental services

Under the new contracting arrangements for NHS dentistry, PCTs have been allocated financial resources to commission primary dental services to meet local health needs. PCTs have a duty to commission or provide the primary dental services necessary to meet all reasonable requirements.

At present, we are inviting tenders for uncommitted dental activity. Dental practitioners may click here to find out how to express an interest in tendering.

If you need help with finding a dentist, you can call our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0121 255 0707 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.