ABSTRACT
This chapter gives an overview of a total purchasing project from the health authority's perspective. It aims at General practitioners and health authorities who are considering such a venture and builds on 18 months' experience of the authority in Berkshire. The chapter provides the background to total purchasing expectations that the authority had the systems that were needed, public health involvement, and calculation of budgets, accountability and lessons learned. The health authority input was mainly in the following areas: allowing the project considerable autonomy, providing strategic context and input and assisting in the selection of the project manager and providing her with ongoing support. The development of a fair budget for a total purchasing project is a crucial step. Historic budget is calculated by multiplying all of the activity for patients served by a total purchasing pilot by the cost of that activity. Capitation budget would give the total purchasing project a sum of money for each registered patient.
