27.04.16
NHSCC leader calls for support to tackle specialised commissioning crisis
The leader of NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC) has responded to a report criticising NHS England’s overspend on specialised commissioning by saying CCGs must be given support to enable them to tackle the crisis.
The National Audit Office (NAO) report warned that spending has got out of control since power over specialised commissioning was transferred from providers to NHS England under the Health and Social Care Act, with the budget increasing by 6.1% every year.
It also said NHS England should develop a strategy for controlling specialised spending.
Julie Wood, CEO of NHSCC, said: “It makes sense for CCGs to be more involved in specialised commissioning, which would result in more joined up pathways leading to better care and outcomes for patients, and we are working with NHS England on making collaborative commissioning of specialised services work.”
She also called for CCGs to receive support to carry out additional specialised commissioning work and that they should be involved in developing the new strategy, saying: “Any changes to the current system must be made in a planned, managed and safe way to ensure the best services for patients and sustainability of CCGs .
“Issues that CCGs identified as barriers to collaborative commissioning of specialised services in the NAO report, such as lack of clarity over costs and accountability and a lack of resources must be resolved.”