Commissioning comment

Judith Smith looks at non-UK commissioners' experience of balancing patient and population health needs.

NICE does some superb work when it comes to recognising excellence in medicines, writes Dr Donal Hynes, but complying with its guidance must not become a tick-box assessment for local commissioning groups.

Dr Krishna Korlipara started one of the first GP co-operatives for out-of-hours care, and argues they represent a far better model than failing out-of-hours companies.

The Government has prioritised homeless care, writes Steve Shrubb, but have GP commissioners done the same?

They’re little-known and little-understood, but social enterprises can help GP commissioners keep private profits out of public healthcare, writes Ceri Jones.

Chair of the now-disbarred Red House CCG, Kenneth Spooner laments the loss of the UK's last small clinical commissioning group.

Only by federating together can practices deliver integrated care and ensure universal high standards, writes Professor Chris Ham

Constituents have shown me that integrated care will be vital to the lives of patients with mental health issues, writes MP Nicky Morgan

It’s often said that GPs are best-placed to commission health service with the whole patient population in mind but, Professor Colin Talbot argues, it’s a dangerous myth that needs to be exploded soon.

Reports in Pulse that PCTs and emerging clinical commissioning groups are ‘rationing care' for obese patients and smokers gained widespread coverage in the mainstream media. A policy introduced in Hertfordshire earlier this year was cited as an example, and some commentators have cried ‘discrimination' and told us our approach has no place in today's NHS.

Pulse’s revelation that GPs and NHS managers across the country are introducing rationing measures specifically targeted at smokers and the obese sparked national headlines – and divided GPs. Here GP commissioners at the heart of the story debate ‘rationing by lifestyle’.

The mounting evidence that breast screening does more harm than good can no longer be ignored, says Dr Margaret McCartney

The sweeping changes in the NHS and financial pressures are having a negative impact, argues Dr Matthew Fay

If CCGs are to succeed, they must look beyond limiting GP activity, says Dr Richard Ma.

Five years to save general practice. It’s not quite the 24 hours Tony Blair warned voters they had to save the NHS, but it’s still one of the more dramatic pronouncements made by a senior GP leader in recent years.

Are we ‘at the cusp’ of seeing a slump in GP engagement with the NHS reforms?

The 'quality premium' contained in the health bill will put a huge strain on patients' trust in GPs, says Dr David Wrigley

Trying to care for older people says Professor Mayur Lakhani, is like playing cricket with a broken bat.

A rebel alliance must be formed to combat the dark forces of 'Lord Cameron', says Dr Paul Barker.

GPs must shout out about the destructive flaws in the health bill, says runner-up in our Soapbox competition Dr Anthony O'Brien