GPs should continue their pace of development and not be distracted by the current hiatus in the passage of the bill, says the NHS Alliance.
While accepting modifications to the bill might be necessary, the alliance is stressing the principle of clinical commissioning is sound and is not being challenged.
NHS Alliance chair, Dr Mike Dixon said: ‘GP commissioning consortia should not be forgotten amid political discussions which are not going to bring significant changes to this aspect of the bill.'
In a letter to members, the alliance says: ‘We believe it is absolutely critical to ensure that a clear message is received in Government that there should be no going back on clinical commissioning.'
The letter urges GPs to take part in NHS Alliance's own listening exercise to inform changes to the reforms and asks for their viewpoints on the following:
- Accountability and governance arrangements for consortia
- Competition and procurement
- Role of National Commissioning Board
- Whether other clinicians should be involved in commissioning
- The name given to clinical commissioning groups.
Dr Mike Dixon
