CCGs’ independence and self-determination crucial for local patient-centred NHS

Released: 14/12/2011

CCG configuration should not be imposed on the back of speculation around management allowance, urges the Clinical Commissioning Coalition.

Following recent press coverage that Clinical Commissioning Groups would have to be a certain size to be able to commission independently, the Clinical Commissioning Coalition is calling on GP leaders to support CCGs’ independence to make their own decisions in terms of the population they cover and commissioning support.

The Coalition, which was set up by the NHS Alliance and the National Association of Primary Care, argues that CCG configuration will depend on a range of local factors and that there is not an ideal size that would suit CCGs across the whole country.

Dr Michael Dixon, a leading member of the Coalition, said: “CCGs are about local ownership of health care. Their size will depend on geography and local connections. Although we understand concerns around the current £25 management allowance, patients come first. CCGs are there to create a health care system that focuses on local needs, is patient centred and led by clinicians.”

He added: “It is absolutely fundamental that CCGs are free to make their own decisions. It is not up to any particular organisation to dictate what CCGs should look like and the Coalition is totally committed to supporting CCGs’ independence and helping their leaders to work through any challenges that may arise.”

Dr Johnny Marshall, also a leading member of the Coalition, added: “CCGs should determine their own size and configuration.  The purpose is to create genuine practice engagement with appropriate support.  One size never has and never will fit all situations”, Dr Marshall continued, “and to suggest that it does is setting up CCGs to fail.  There is a danger that CCGs will, through imposed solutions, hit the £25 or another target and miss the point, which is to improve the health of local populations in a financially sustainable way.  We, in the Coalition, are determined to fight this issue until we have as a satisfactory outcome.”

The Clinical Commissioning Coalition is currently working with the Department of Health to look at how small and large CCGs could work and in a recent paper it published some advice of how they could address some of the organisational challenges they may face at local level, including negotiating with providers, controlling management costs and establishing sound governance.

Ends.

Notes to editors:

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