THE CHIEF Clinical lead for South Worcestershire CCG has welcomed plans to transfer further powers to Evesham’s and Pershore’s doctors.
England’s 211 clinically-led local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will get new powers to improve local health services in a project revealed by NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens.
Under the plans, CCGs such as South Worcestershire will be able bid to take control of a number of health powers and responsibilities previously provided by the Government.
They will need to meet a number of tests, including showing they will help advance care integration, raise standards and cut health inequalities in primary care.
They will also need to show how they will ensure transparent and fair governance -with a continuing oversight role for NHS England to safeguard against conflicts of interest – all in the context of the CCG’s five-year plan for its local NHS services.
Speaking at the Annual Conference of NHS Clinical Commissioners in London, Mr Stevens said: “We need to make it easier for patients, local communities and local clinicians to exercise more clout over how services are developed.
“That means giving local CCGs greater influence over the way NHS funding is being invested for their local populations.
“CCGs are still young organisations at different stages of development, and with different local needs.
“So rather than specifying a one-size-fits all solution, and having listened carefully to what CCGs have been saying, I’m keen to hear from CCGs themselves about what next steps they would like to explore.”
Dr Carl Ellson, Chief Clinical Lead for NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, welcomed the opportunity for ‘greater involvement’ in primary care commissioning.
“Primary care across Worcestershire is currently commissioned by a number of different organisations. This can increase fragmentation which is not in the best interest of our patients.
“Also with the current financial challenges across the whole system, the transformation of primary care is essential and CCGs are best placed to deliver the scale of change that is needed.” he added.
Dr Ellison said South Worcestershire CCG had already begun discussions with NHS England and would make an application by the June 20 deadline.
The date also marks the deadline for submission of the CCG’s five-year forward plan for providing local health services.
All applications will be discussed by the CCG and the local Area Team of NHS England, which will subsequently make a recommendation for approval by the board of NHS England.
