Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group
The Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group has now launched a new website, see:
The website provides information on the new consortium including information on the locality groups within
Oxfordshire; a time line for the developing consortium to it becoming a statutory organisation; news items and
how people can get involved in the consortium work.
Background
Following extensive work and consultation, Oxfordshire GPs are developing a county wide clinical commissioning model in order to implement government plans for the NHS.
The White Paper: Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, published in July 2010, sets out the Government's long term vision for the NHS, which will be achieved by:
- putting patients at the heart of the NHS
- focusing on driving high quality and improving outcomes
- empowering local organisations and professionals
- cutting bureaucracy and improving efficiency
In order to shift decision-making as close as possible to patients, power and responsibility for commissioning services will be devolved to local consortia of GP practices. As such, by April 2013, there will be a comprehensive system of clinical commissioning consortia, supported by and accountable to a new independent NHS Commissioning Board.
Clinical commissioning builds on Practice Based Commissioning (PBC) and the key role that GP practices already play in coordinating patient care and acting as advocates for patients. It gives groups of GP practices financial accountability for the consequences of their decisions.
Since the publication of the White Paper in July 2010, current PBC GP consortia leads and NHS Oxfordshire have been working together to explore possible future models for clinical Commissioning. Work has also been undertaken to look at the functions and responsibilities of NHS Oxfordshire and the governance needed to support the transition. GPs throughout Oxfordshire have been widely consulted on proposals by their PBC Leads and their views have informed the thinking behind the county wide model.
The Oxfordshire wide clinical commissioning model will feature strong localities, of similar size to the current PBC consortia, which will commission local health services for the public. An Oxfordshire GP Consortium Board has been established and will be responsible for developing a work programme through the transition period. Board membership includes GPs and members of NHS Oxfordshire's executive team.
Oxfordshire GPs will be part of the national pathfinder programme, as one of the biggest groups, which will test design concepts for clinical commissioning and explore how emerging consortia will best be able to undertake their future functions.
GPs in Oxfordshire will continue to work very closely with the PCT to develop and implement plans. It is imperative that the transition is managed carefully to ensure continuity and stability for the healthcare system and enough support for the new clinical commissioning group.
Other Information
An event was held on 27 January at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford to launch the new commissioning model. Over 240 people attended including GPs, practice managers, local councillors and members of the public. The presentation given at the event can be viewed here.