Half of commissioning budgets already handed to CCGs
Nearly half of PCT commissioning budgets have already been handed to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) as the implementation of the Government's NHS reforms gathers pace, the Department of Health has revealed.
The disclosure in today's NHS Operating Framework suggests many CCGs are on track to assume full budgetary responsibility by 2013/14 when PCTs are abolished.
The Operating Framework states: ‘Almost half of available budgets have already been delegated to emerging CCGs and we expect the rate of delegation to continue to increase.'
The framework, released today, says CCGs will need to take a series of steps before becoming statutory bodies.
These are:
• Build a track record:
– manage those budgets well and play an active role in the planning round for 2012/13, taking ownership of those parts of a PCT cluster's plan which it will inherit
– develop relationships with local partners, including social care, and engage with the local community, in particular playing an active role in the emerging health and wellbeing boards
– deliver the relevant share of the QIPP agenda for the PCT cluster
• Prepare for establishment:
– address any issues arising from the configuration risk assessment by the end of March 2012
– prepare an application in line with the forthcoming guidance
– identify how they wish to secure commissioning support and plans to utilise the running costs allowance
• Become a successful organisation:
– undertake the development plan agreed with the PCT cluster in 2011/12 as a result of the self-assessment diagnostic, and agree governance plans locally, including relationships with the health and wellbeing board.
