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Marshall: GP-CCG relationship is key to success

The relationship between GP practices and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) is fundamental to the success of the NHS reforms and should be allowed to develop free from external interference, Dr Johnny Marshall, chair of the National Association of Primary Care, has said.

Dr Marshall warned in a keynote address to more than 500 GPs, practice managers and commissioning leaders at the NAPC's annual conference in Birmingham: ‘The practices are the CCG and the CCG is the practices. Otherwise we will just recreate PCTs.'

'While there may be some parameters outside of which CCGs are genuinely not viable, the size and therefore the number of CCGs nationwide should not be prescribed nationally but be for local determination. One size does not fit all.'

Dr Marshall also urged practices to look at their wider local responsibilities and be proactive about spreading best practice.

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