Table.

Comparison of features of independent practitioner associations in New Zealand and primary care groups in England relevant to clinical governance⁸

Feature	New Zealand: independent practitioner associations	England: primary care groups
Type of organisation	Mostly private companies	An integral part of NHS structure, evolving to become primary care trusts
Professional membership	Practitioners choose to join one association with no geographical boundaries	Compulsory membership based on geographical boundaries
Purchasing of services	Only laboratory tests and drugs at this stage. Remainder bought by national purchaser	Will eventually purchase all services in collaboration with local providers
Governance	Elected boards including non-general practitioners in some cases	Moving to formal trust status with joint practitioner-purchaser board membership
Community/consumer participation	A wide range, including community advisory committees	Required to consult with communities
Infrastructure development	Well advanced, with corporate organisation, management structures, and merged practice registers	Still resolving the respective roles of practice and corporate management
Accountability for quality and cost	Collective professional leadership and accountability at corporate level with involvement of member practices	Still largely at the practice level with uncertain role at corporate level