1. How do fundholders and non-fundholding general practitioners differ?

2. Provider units have expressed fears that fundholders might seek advantage through contracts.

3. In some areas fundholders had formed liaison groups and were meeting regularly to share experiences and develop their collective expertise.

4. In one town, however, second wave fundholders had been told to fend for themselves by those in the first wave.

5. Yet most existing fundholders find they do not have the available money as their management fees are fully committed within their practices.sentencedict .com

6. Fundholders are uncertain about their ability to make savings year after year, particularly in an increasingly cost contained environment.

7. This should result in fundholders setting the pace and others benefiting.

8. Fundholders, if not reimbursed for their use, may insist that drugs be included in the hospital price.

9. Fund-holders can spend any budget savings on things such as new equipment, extra rooms and extra staff.

10. The health board, which negotiates contracts for non-fundholders, is to be represented in the negotiations between providers and fundholders.

11. Fair and representative service? On the downside there was evidence of polarisation between fundholders and non-fundholders.

12. Improving prescribing None the less real improvements could be made in prescribing, and fundholders have shown savings.

13. As no formula for capitation funding had been developed fundholders were given budgets on a historical basis.

14. I sensed real enthusiasm and empowerment among some of the fundholders and discovered tangible improvements in patient care.

15. A variety of difficulties were foreseen about the ability of fundholders to continue making savings.