No going back on clinical commissioning

Released: 19/04/2011

As political dispute and speculation around the Health and Social Care Bill take centre stage, it is now time to give clinical commissioners all the support they can get and ensure that their opinions are heard, says the NHS Alliance.

“There is no going back on clinical commissioning and GP Commissioning Consortia should not be forgotten amid political discussions which are not going to bring significant changes to this aspect of the bill,” says Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance. “We are encouraging all GP consortia, especially pathfinders, to continue their pace of development and to not be distracted by the current hiatus in the passage of the Bill.”

Dr Dixon added that, although modifications to the Bill may be necessary, the principle of clinically-led commissioning is sound and has not been challenged by current discussions.

The NHS Alliance is keen that every GP consortium should have its full say in any changes necessary to the Health and Social Care Bill and will be opening its own listening exercise "Listen Up", to ensure that they have a prominent voice at a time when there is a lack of real representation and a lot of confusion among those who are supposed to take clinically-led commissioning forward. 

“It is undeniable that we need to listen to all professionals involved in making clinically-led commissioning happen, including nurses, allied professionals and consultants,” Dr Dixon pointed out. “But, to be meaningful, this listening exercise needs to be led by frontline commissioners. It is about time that commissioners’ voices are truly heard. That is what the NHS Alliance listening exercise will do.”

Ends.

Notes to editors:

1.   NHS Alliance brings together GP consortia, PCTs, clinicians and managers as the leading organisation in primary care. We are an independent non-political membership organisation proud to be at the forefront of clinically-led commissioning. Its leaders are all dedicated professionals, who represent the Alliance’s diverse membership, working ceaselessly to meet the challenges facing the NHS today. Find out more at www.nhsalliance.org

2.   For more information, please email pressoffice@nhsalliance.org or call 07772756674.