Your Local NHS – on the journey to authorisation
Nottingham North and East NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is one of the new commissioning organisations in England. We are a collective of 21 GP (family doctor) practices in Nottingham North and East, and are led by a group of doctors, nurses and health service managers. We are currently in shadow form with delegated authority from NHS Nottinghamshire County until we become authorised as a statutory body from April 2013.
With the passing of the Health and Social Care Bill in 2012, the most extensive reorganisation of the structure of the NHS to date is now underway. The Health and Social Care Act will see the abolition of NHS Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities transferring a large proportion of the budget for health services to CCGs. These CCGs will be led by general practitioners using their knowledge and understanding of patients needs. The key principles of the reforms are to put patients at the centre of the NHS, to change the emphasis of measurement to clinical outcomes and to empower health professionals, in particular GPs. Pivotal to the changes is the requirement to make quality and financial efficiency improvements in order to ensure that healthcare resources are used as effectively as possible.
Our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the 145,000 people who live in Nottingham North and East. We are responsible for planning and paying for healthcare services for people in the area, and from April 2013 we will manage an annual budget of approximately £154.6million.
Nottingham North and East Clinical Commissioning Groups key aims are:
- Reduce health inequalities in the local population by targeting those people with the greatest health needs;
- Drive up the quality of care in order to improve health outcomes and reduce unwarranted clinical variation;
- Direct available resources to where they will deliver the greatest benefit to the local population;
- Commission appropriate models of care for older and vulnerable people with complex needs, ensuring all patients are treated with dignity and respect;
- Secure improved chances of a healthy life by targeting our prevention approach for children and young people;
- Ensure that patients are able to make choices about the care they receive and are seen in the right place at the right time by the right person.
To enable the CCG to become a statutory body the organisation will take part in the authorisation process. During July and August a survey will be carried out by the NHS Commissioning Board with a wide range of stakeholders including Local Authority, acute and community providers, patient and public groups, the Health and Wellbeing Board, clinical networks and member practices. The results of this survey, case studies and site visits will be used as part of a formal assessment which will take place in October. The Commissioning Board will inform the CCG of the outcome of the assessments on the 30th November on whether we are fully authorised.
We will publish information about how we are doing at each stage on our website.
Nottingham North and East CCG comprises of GP practices in Arnold, Burton Joyce, Calverton, Carlton, Colwick, Daybrook, Gedling, Giltbrook, Hucknall, Lowdham, Mapperley, Netherfield and Newthorpe.
To find out more about the CCG and how you can get involved, please visit our website - http://www.nottinghamnortheastccg.nhs.uk/
