CCGs ready for commissioning budgets

Almost 95% of CCGs are ready to take on commissioning budgets in April.

BMJ Careers reports that 94.2% passed the strategic health authority SHA risk assessment of their configuration.

This risk rating system measures four areas relating to group size, shape and practice engagement and categorises CCGs as red, amber or green. 5.8% of CCGs were rated red.

The allocation of commissioning budgets will allow those rated green or amber to operate as shadow CCGs until April 2013, when they will receive full authorisation.

The risk assessment showed that CCGs were most likely to struggle with assessing the impact of their size. However, 96% were rated as having a defined geographical area and 99% have gained support from their member practices.

SHA clusters have warned, however, that further changes to CCG configuration may have taken place since completion of the risk assessment process at the end of 2011.

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