Alliance calls on government to ensure clinical commissioning groups’ independence

Released: 29/06/2011

Following giving evidence at Health and Social Care Bill Committee, the NHS Alliance has called on the government to ensure that clinical commissioning groups are not over constrained or straight jacketed

“We have concerns about centralisation, which is implicit in the government’s response to the form clinical commissioning groups will take,” said Dr Michael Dixon, NHS Alliance chairman. “We would like to see further safeguard to ensure that clinical commissioning groups have sufficient independence to do their job well.”

The NHS Alliance is also supportive of:

•         The Secretary of State’s mandate to intervene if the National Commissioning Board becomes a hindrance to clinical commissioning groups’ autonomy;

•         The suggested timeline which encourages all clinical commissioning groups to hold their own budget by 2014;

•         Commissioning Boards having GPs as majority members;

•         The National Commissioning Board being the only organisation allowed to turn down commissioning groups’ plans;

•         Clinical commissioning groups having assumed responsibility rather than earned autonomy.

“We need to ensure that clinical commissioning groups are able to deliver for patients,” Dr Dixon added. “To do that, they need to have a strong enough mandate, free of centralism and interference, which will allow them to develop and commission the best services for their local populations.”

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.