Operating a Pooled Budget and Lead Commissioning Using Health Act Flexibilities: The Oxfordshire Experience Available to Purchase

The article outlines the approach taken in Oxfordshire to pool significant County Council Social & Community Services and Primary Care Trust budgets to purchase primarily bed‐based services to achieve the right outcomes for services users and best value for the organisations. It sets this initiative in the context of relevant Oxfordshire data. It describes the processes involved, the benefits and outcomes to date and the initial lessons learnt.