WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT FUNDHOLDING IN GENERAL-PRACTICE

The general practice fundholding scheme was introduced four years ago. So far its impact has not been formally evaluated nationally, but rev iew of published research shows some trends. Fundholding has curbed pr escribing costs and given general practitioners greater power to lever improvements in hospital services-for example, reducing waiting times for hospital treatment-but fundholding practices may have received mo re money than non-fundholding practices. The impact of fundholding on transactions costs, equity, and quality of care (particularly for pati ents of non-fundholding general practitioners) is unknown. Research in to costly reforms such as fundholding needs to be coordinated.