CCGs should not be bullied on size, says Clinical Commissioning Coalition

Released: 13/10/2011

Clinical Commissioning Groups, not Primary Care Trust clusters or Strategic Health Authorities, should decide their appropriate size, says the NAPC/NHS Alliance Clinical Commissioning Coalition.

“Of course there will be issues, ranging from the costs of corporate governance to the management of financial risk,” said Dr Charles Alessi, Chair elect of NAPC. “But these will need to be balanced with the all-important need to keep engagement and close relationships with local GP practices, clinicians and patients”.

Dr Michael Dixon, chair of the NHS Alliance, added: “Each CCG will need to provide a good case for its composition and size. No-one really knows what the ideal size of a CCG is and we need to remember that this is bound to vary according to circumstances and geography. The worst case scenario is that the future size of any CCG depends upon the presumed management allowance and costs of running a statutory organisation, rather than the size that is necessary for them to carry out their functions most effectively”.

According to the Clinical Commissioning Coalition, no CCG should be bullied on this issue of size. Yet, the reality is that many are and many have been. That is quite contrary to all the principles of locally-led clinical commissioning.

The Clinical Commissioning Coalition is working with the Department of Health to look at how small a CCG might reasonably be and how small CCGs can meet the requirements for future National Commissioning Board authorisation. “Until this work is completed, it is entirely inappropriate for either PCT Clusters or Strategic Health Authorities to dictate to their constituent CCGs how large or small they should be,” concluded Dr Dixon.

The Clinical Commissioning Coalition is urging CCGs to use the configuration gateway and resist pressure from PCT clusters and SHAs. CCGs that encounter any difficulties can get support from the Clinical Commissioning Coalition by getting in touch with Julie Wood, National Director, Clinical Commissioning, NHS Alliance.

Ends.

Notes to editors:

1.    Julie Wood, National Director, Clinical Commissioning, NHS Alliance can be contacted via j.wood@nhsalliance.org

2.    The 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

3.    The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) is a non-political, non-profit-making organisation representing and supporting the interests of all its members, both individuals and organisations working in or with primary care. It also offers support through associate membership to those bodies, which provide services to primary care or have other health-related interests. Find out more at www.napc.co.uk

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